Wilkinsburg woman arrested for domestic violence
Western Pennsylvania Domestic Violence Attorney
Domestic violence is a tricky subject as we have all been reminded over the past two weeks with the stories surrounding the NFL and its two superstars, Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice. Rice’s case has spread like wildfire after the full video of him knocking out his then fiancé, now wife, in an elevator at a casino in Atlantic City, NJ. Peterson’s case is not nearly as clear cut and there are many questions that we have been asking ourselves as Americans and parents about what exactly can be considered “crossing the line” when it comes to disciplining our children. But the fact of the matter is that this is not news. These things happen every single day throughout rural and urban neighborhoods. I suppose it just takes a few polarizing figures in a polarizing light to bring such discussions to the forefront of society.
A troubled relationship
Recently, after police were called to the scene of a domestic disturbance call at around 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, they found a baby boy who had multiple bruises all over his body. Police questioned the mother, but say that her answers didn’t qualify a believable story. The woman was then taken into custody. A few hours later, police charged the baby’s 22-year-old mother with endangerment and placed her in jail until her September 25thpreliminary hearing. According to accounts by the woman, she and the boy’s father have had a tumultuous relationship over the past year. She said that that they are no longer together, but that he came to the home and pushed television onto the boy, which could explain his bruises and blood on his body, head, and face. The boy was taken to Children’s Hospital where nurses and doctors reportedly found lacerations in the child’s mouth from what they said was “an object being shoved with great force…” Hospital workers also say that they bruises were not new, but that the baby had suffered them over time. The mother told police that the boy fell into things and bumped his head a lot, but hospital staff said that the baby’s injuries were not consistent with a few accidents.
More problems with the law
In May of 2013, the woman in question filed a PFA against a 24-year-old Pittsburgh man, telling police that he broke into her home, harassed, stalked, and threatened her. The PFA was set up with a three year no contact clause when the man did not show up to the hearing. Between the two of them, the woman has since been arrested for disorderly conduct and the man has been charged with disorderly conduct, aggravated assault, involuntary sexual intercourse, and burglary. He also pleaded guilty to possession of drugs in 2012 and served nine months of probation. If you have questions about domestic abuse or have been arrested for neglect or abuse yourself, call Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney Gary E. Gerson at 412-219-6875 for a free consultation.
Free Consultation – 412-219-6875
Source: Post-Gazette.com, “Wilkinsburg mother charged with endangering her child” 14 September 2014
