Chambersburg man taken into custody after cops say he repeatedly dropped a premature baby
Carley BonkA Chambersburg man was taken into custody last weekend after police responded to a domestic assault situation in which they allege a premature infant was injured.
Michael Woods, 28, is charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault of a child and endangering the welfare of children and two misdemeanor counts of simple assault and possession of marijuana, according to court documents.
On June 28, state police responded to a domestic assault call at the Red Roof Inn, 1110 Sheller Avenue, at approximately 5 p.m.
Upon arrival, police noted a "strong odor of marijuana" emanating from the room where the defendant was staying with a woman and her young child - a prematurely born infant who weighed 5 lbs., 14 ounces.
Woods told officers he had marijuana inside the room and on his person. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Woods had an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Cumberland County, court documents state.
While interviewing the mother of the baby boy, police said they were informed that Woods - who was angered by the child's cries - began to repeatedly pick up the baby and drop him onto the motel room's bed, approximately a three-foot drop, the night before.
The mother also told authorities that after Woods dropped the baby, he shoved a bottle into the child's mouth so forcefully that the infant began to choke and his lips started to turn white.
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When she told Woods that the baby was choking, he slapped her across the face, according to court documents.
Eventually, Woods "snapped out of it," and pulled the bottle out of the infant's mouth, the mother told police.
Police did not release the condition of the child.
Woods was taken to Franklin County Jail on $200,000 bail.
He is scheduled to appear before Magisterial District Judge Glenn Manns for a preliminary hearing on July 6.
Carley Bonk is a Watchdog Reporter for the USA Today Network - Pennsylvania. Her coverage spans across the southcentral region of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at cbonk@publicopinionnews.com or on Twitter at @carls_marie.