Babysitter Accused Of Breaking 18-Month-Old's Ribs Said He Pushed Baby Into Crib So He Could Smoke Pot In Peace, Cops Say

A Pennsylvania man has been arrested after pushing an 18-month-old baby face-first into a crib and causing multiple injuries, including broken ribs, police said.

On March 1, officers were called to Wayne County Memorial Hospital in Carbondale for a baby who had bruising to the face and broken and fractured ribs, WBRE reported.

According to authorities, the mother told police she received a call from her babysitter, later identified as 19-year-old Kassius Lovett Grant, telling her that her child had fallen and suffered facial injures so they were going to the hospital.

Officers searched for Grant, who was found hiding in a closet at a home in Carbondale. He was taken into custody and interviewed by police.

Grant allegedly said he was smoking marijuana in the apartment and the child kept coming into the room, according to authorities.

He claimed he didn’t want the toddler in the room with him while he was smoking, so he pushed the baby from behind into the crib, police said.

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Officials said the child was hospitalized with fractures and broken ribs, two collapsed lungs, an injury to the back, swelling and bruises on the face and a gash on the back of the neck.

Grant was arrested on March 8 and charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

He was booked into the Lackawanna County Prison on a $400,000 bond, officials said. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 29.