Childcare worker charged with assaulting two infants at Oaks daycare will go to trial, judge decides.
In a chilling case unfolding in Montgomery County, a 37-year-old woman named Catalina Baldwin faces serious allegations of aggravated assault, following the traumatic injuries of a seven-month-old girl under her care at the Oaks Early Learning Center. Testimony presented in court has revealed the extent of the infant’s injuries, which a medical expert described as consistent with severe abuse, including violent shaking or impact.
During a recent hearing, Dr. Cindy Christian, a physician specializing in child abuse, outlined the alarming condition of the baby when she arrived at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in July. Dr. Christian elaborated that the bleeding within the infant’s skull was so extensive that it was exerting pressure on the brain, a situation deemed extraordinarily dangerous. The infant also exhibited signs of retinal damage and injuries to her neck ligaments, further indicating a grave level of distress.
Baldwin’s defense attorney, Brian McMonagle, proposed that the injuries might have occurred outside the childcare environment, potentially at home. However, Dr. Christian refuted this suggestion, emphasizing that the nature of the injuries was inconsistent with any domestic incident occurring hours or days before the infant was brought to the center that day.
According to prosecutors, Baldwin was the sole adult supervising the infant room on July 9. She had called for assistance from the center’s director after noticing that the infant appeared listless and incapable of holding up her head. Upon arrival, the director observed the infant in distress, prompting emergency responders to be called to the scene, where they noted possible seizure activity.
Compounding the situation, investigators uncovered troubling evidence during their inquiry, including a deleted message on Baldwin’s phone in which she referred to the infant as “a nightmare.” Furthermore, prosecutors revealed that Baldwin conducted an online search for “Shaken Syndrome” just two days after the incident in question.
This distressing case is not isolated; it follows an earlier incident involving another infant under Baldwin’s care, who sustained a mouth injury in May. In that instance, Baldwin reportedly sought guidance from an AI chatbot regarding the child’s safety concerns.
As proceedings continue, Dr. Christian expressed skepticism regarding Baldwin’s explanation for the latter infant’s injury, asserting that the child’s significant oral trauma was likely the result of inflicted violence rather than an accidental cause. The injured child subsequently required a feeding tube due to complications from the injury.
Baldwin remains in custody, held without bail since her arrest in early August. She is scheduled for arraignment on October 2 and is no longer employed at Oaks Early Learning Center. The court has initiated trial preparations, ensuring that this serious matter receives the scrutiny it warrants as it unfolds.
This case underscores critical issues regarding child safety in childcare settings, prompting wider discussions about protective measures and accountability for the care of vulnerable populations.
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