Bristol Township police have charged a couple following an investigation into injuries suffered by their 1-month-old daughter.
Advertisements
Amanda Young, 32, and Rakeem Montrell Fielder, 30, both of Bristol Township, were each charged with aggravated assault on a victim less than 6 years old, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.
Young was preliminarily arraigned Tuesday afternoon before Senior District Judge Joanne Kline. Her bail was set at 10 percent of $25,000 and she was remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility in Doylestown Township. Fielder is awaiting arraignment on his charges.
Bristol Township police launched a probe in March after receiving word that the infant was receiving medical treatment at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, according to court papers filed this week.
Advertisements
The baby had been taken to her pediatrician twice shortly after birth. No injuries were reported during the first appointments.
That changed on March 5 when bruising appeared near the infant’s eye and cheek, police said.
Advertisements
Although a pediatrician instructed the parents to take the child to an emergency room, police said they failed to do so, allegedly due to a lack of transportation.
Instead of seeking emergency care, the couple ordered bruising ointment, according to police.
Additional bruising was discovered on the child’s body the next week, and the couple did not seek immediate medical help, police said.
Advertisements
A checkup appointment a few days later led to the pediatrician telling the couple to go to a hospital, police said.
At St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, doctors found bruising across the child’s abdomen, back, cheek, and thigh, police said.
Advertisements
Additional medical examination revealed a leg fracture likely caused by pulling or yanking, bleeding in her left eye, and older eyelid bruises, police said.
Investigators said a doctor reported the physical trauma and injuries were consistent with abuse.
Advertisements
According to police, Young said she did not know how the injuries happened and that she and Fielder were the sole caregivers.
Young reportedly told police the couple had been moving the baby’s legs in repetitive bicycle motions to relieve constipation, while Fielder said he was the only one who performed the leg exercises.
Editor’s Note: This article has corrected a defendant’s name.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
