Father accused of assaulting 3-month-old East Huntingdon boy

A 3-month-old East Huntingdon boy remained hospitalized after state police arrested the child’s father Wednesday for allegedly assaulting the baby, leaving him with three broken ribs, bruising and a brain hemorrhage.

Taylor Joseph Shipley, 19, is being held without bail at the Westmoreland County Prison on charges of aggravated assault and child endangerment.

Trooper Steve Limani said the boy’s injuries are consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

“It’s a shame that we’re talking about this, it’s super sad when you’re talking about a 3-month-old and shaken baby syndrome,” he said.

Troopers received a ChildLine report of suspected child abuse on Monday after the boy was flown from Huntingdon Village Apartments by medical helicopter to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Paramedics said the baby was “blue and limp,” according to court papers.

Shipley and the boy’s mother told investigators and doctors that the child had been sick for a couple days. Shipley was caring for him while the baby’s mother was at work when he called Westmoreland 911 for help after the boy reportedly started vomiting, according to court papers. Shipley told troopers he was instructed to perform CPR on the child.

A recording of the 911 call obtained by police showed dispatchers told Shipley not to administer CPR.

Both Shipley and the boy’s mother denied the allegations, according to court papers.

“It appears that he definitely was the only one that was responsible for the child … and he was the one that initiated the phone call about the child being ill and stuff about turning blue,” Limani said.

The boy’s mother said his injuries happened when Shipley performed CPR and rushed him out to the ambulance, according to court papers.

“The doctor is in complete disagreement with how the parent is saying these injuries occurred to the point where the doctor is adamant that there is only way this particular injury could’ve happened … and that is through … shaken baby syndrome,” Limani said.

Troopers served a search warrant at the couple’s apartment Tuesday evening and learned from witnesses that Shipley jumped out of a back window as police tried to get inside. He was arraigned on the charges Wednesday night. A judge ruled that he is a flight risk and danger to the community in denying him bail, according to court records.

Troopers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the baby’s injuries. Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 724-832-3288.

Shipley did not have an attorney listed in online court records. A Sept. 25 preliminary hearing is set.