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Babysitter Accused Of Beating 2-Year-Old In Court

BELLE VERNON (KDKA) -- The Bentleyville man accused of beating a 2-year-old girl he was babysitting will go to trial.

Joshua Tannous, 19, is accused of beating the child so severely that the doctor treating the baby said the injuries were like that of someone in a high-speed accident.

With a car door slam, Tannous left his preliminary hearing in Perryopolis.

"The baby was brutalized. In a word, the baby was brutalized," said Southwest Regional Police Chief John Hartman.

According to court records, Tannous broke both of child's collarbones, fractured her scapula and beat the girl about the face. The abuse allegedly happened inside a Johnston Street home in Belle Vernon.

"He said he was drunk, high. The baby was crying and he snapped. That's what he said," said Chief Hartman said in February after charges were filed.

Also facing charges are the injured child's parents - 21-year-old Matthew Price and 22-year-old Tracy Price.

Both are accused of not calling the police when they first suspected something was wrong.

"They explained to us, he was helping them with their bills," said Chief Hartman.

The baby continues to recover, but the long-term prognosis is unclear.

"Investigations are continuing," Chief Hartman said. "There may be more charges filed."

Tannous and the Prices remain free on bond. The couple's preliminary hearing is continued until May.

RELATED LINKS:
Police: Teen Assaulted 2-Year-Old While Babysitting (2/7/14)
More Reports by Ross Guidotti

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