By The Valley Independent

Published: Friday, February 22, 2013, 12:21 a.m.
Updated: Friday, February 22, 2013

A Speers woman appeared in court Thursday on charges alleging she struck her 5-year-old grandson with a hammer and bound him to a bed.

Carmen Alexander, 45, of 253 Davidson Drive, waived her right to a preliminary hearing on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, unlawful restraint and endangering the welfare of children. She appeared before Charleroi Magisterial District Judge Larry Hopkins.

She is currently free on $100,000 bond.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed in January, Alexander was the caregiver for her grandson. The child suffered bruising, scratches, burns, scars and trauma over much of his body, including a lump on his forehead.

The child told Charleroi Regional police officer William Gardner Alexander struck him with a hammer as punishment and bound his wrists with zip ties to a bedpost. He had bite marks on his hands from attempting to free himself.

Police found zip ties in the child's bedroom and broken zip ties attached to a bedpost, according to the affidavit.

The child was treated at Monongahela Valley Hospital, where medical reports, photographs and treatment were documented.

Alexander told police she once “zip-tied” the child's wrists to show him how police handcuff suspects. According to the affidavit, Alexander told police she witnessed her son's ex-girlfriend strike the child with a metal spoon on several occasions, but never reported the alleged incidents.

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