New Kensington man charged with causing serious injuries to his baby

A New Kensington man is accused of causing serious injuries to his 2-month-old infant.

New Kensington police filed aggravated assault, child endangerment and obstruction charges against Jacob Alexander Piontek, 25, after his child suffered seizures, a stroke and brain trauma after being in his care, according to a criminal complaint.

At about 2:30 a.m on Sept. 22, first responders were dispatched to a home in the 1500 block of Stewart Street in New Kensington for a report of a 2-month-old believed to be in cardiac arrest, according to authorities.

Later that day, the infant was in critical but stable condition, according to a criminal complaint. A social worker from UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh told officers the infant suffered from a series of seizures, and possibly a stroke, from a traumatic event.

Doctors determined the child had significant brain bleeding that spread to the spine, according to authorities. The infant then suffered a stroke, vein thrombosis of the brain and more seizures.

The infant was in Piontek’s care, detectives said.

Piontek gave conflicting statements to 911 dispatchers, doctors and police about what happened and what caused the injuries, according to his arrest papers.

Piontek later claimed he was playing with the infant and tossing him onto a couch from about 5 to 6 feet away, the complaint said.

The infant has since been released from the hospital and is in foster care.

Police took Piontek into custody Tuesday. He was unable to post $50,000 bail and was taken to the Westmoreland County jail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled Oct. 16 before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.