Pennsylvanian Parents Accused of Assaulting 4-Month-Old Son Arrested

A Pennsylvania couple is accused of abusing their 4-month-old son after hospital workers found the infant covered in bruises and suffering from a split lip, according to police.

Jessica Oster, 26, and James Oster now face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges following an investigation by the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department. According to the authorities, the child was taken to UPMC Lititz Hospital on April 22 after medical staff noticed injuries that pointed to possible abuse.

Police said the baby had bruises and abrasions across his body, along with a torn upper frenulum and a cut lip.

Investigators said Jessica Oster first claimed she fed the child with a bottle and left him alone for up to 30 minutes before finding him injured. But detectives said she later admitted she became frustrated by the baby crying and “used too much force when placing a bottle into the baby’s mouth.”

According to documents, James Oster also admitted to hurting the child during bath time. Police said he confessed to gripping the infant’s head and pulling it backwards while the baby lay face down in bathwater.

James Oster told detectives he acted to stop the child’s face from going underwater.

The police department later described the injuries in a public statement. “During the investigation, detectives spoke with medical professionals who explained the injuries as a lip laceration, ecchymosis, and a laceration of the upper frenulum,” the release stated. “There were also bruises and abrasions over the body.”

Jessica Oster allegedly told police some of the bruises may have come from her husband handling the baby during baths or from the child’s bouncy seat.

According to Law & Crime, detectives then examined the seat inside the couple’s home. According to court records, investigators reported a strong smell of urine and stains soaked through the bottom cushion.

Police also said the parents admitted they often fed the infant by propping up a bottle with a blanket while the child sat alone in the seat in another room.

Jessica Oster is now facing two counts of aggravated assault, along with simple assault, child endangerment and recklessly endangering another person, police said.

James Oster faces charges including aggravated assault, simple assault, two counts of endangering the welfare of children, and reckless endangerment. The accused couple is scheduled to appear in court on May 26 for a preliminary hearing.