Police Investigate Alleged Beating Of Blairsville Toddler
BLAIRSVILLE (KDKA) -- A 20-month-old Indiana County child is clinging to life at UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh after what investigators suspect was a case of child abuse.
Police served a search warrant this afternoon at the residence on Susan Drive near Blairsville.
The boy, who has not been identified, was at home at the Chestnut Ridge Public Housing Project in Burrell Township when calls came into 911 about a child not breathing just after 2:30 a.m.
KDKA's Ralph Iannotti Reports:
"We are still in the process of gathering information," said Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty. "The state police are here, they're doing… we're executing a search warrant on the property right now, looking for any evidence which would give us some more information into this matter."
When the child arrived at the hospital, officials say the boy had life-threatening injuries to his head and torso. He sustained most of the injuries to the left side of his head.
The boy's mother was not home at time. She is in the hospital after having another child.
The boy was reportedly at home with his mother's husband and a grandmother.
The woman's husband was not the child's biological father.
The boy is reportedly on life support.
According to court papers, a doctor wrote that if the child dies, his death should be treated as a homicide.
Neighbor Celeste Steeves said Friday night the family had just recently moved in.
KDKA's Trina Orlando Reports:
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