Canonsburg couple charged after 4-year-old requires 25 stitches
Canonsburg police filed charges against two people last week in connection with severe injuries a 4-year-old girl in their care suffered in March.
Jessica Faith Powell, 30, and Maceo V. Williams, 46, both of Canonsburg, each face felony charges of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children.
Powell was arraigned Tuesday afternoon before District Judge James Saieva, who sent her to the Washington County jail on $100,000 bond, and there is an active warrant for Williams’ arrest.
According to the criminal complaint, Williams called police to his and Powell’s home in the 200 block of Glenn Avenue just before midnight March 16, reporting that his daughter was in need of stitches.
When police arrived, they found the girl in her bedroom with deep cuts on her scalp, ear and right arm.
The child was transported to Washington Hospital and then to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. According to the complaint, she required 25 stitches.
Police did not find an object that could have been used to cause the cuts in an initial search. Powell and Williams told investigators that the child is autistic and has a history of harming herself, the complaint states.
Court records do not specify the relationship between Powell and the child, other than to say that Powell was also responsible for caring for her.
A doctor at Children’s Hospital told police that an object likely caused the injuries, and an adult most likely knows what happened.
According to the complaint, the doctor “noted that until a truthful, accurate history is provided – this is physical child abuse.”
Williams called police on March 18 to request they search the child’s bedroom again to find the object. Investigators returned March 22, and again found nothing. However, Williams allegedly was shifting objects around on the floor with his feet, and police noticed a razor blade near where he was standing, according to court records.
“Williams stated that the razor must be what (the victim) used to cut herself,” police wrote in the complaint.
Powell and Williams also face a misdemeanor charge of simple assault.
Powell is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 24.