Police: Child left in ‘substantial pain,’ two charged

BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Two people from Bedford County are facing charges for allegedly abusing a 1-year-old.

Lee Ott, 45, of Woodbury, and Jamie Williams, 22, of Six Mile Run are facing charges after a 1-year-old was brought to UPMC Altoona and was treated for bruising and scratching, according to the criminal complaint. On March 9, Pennsylvania State Police troopers were called to UPMC Altoona for a report of potential child abuse.

Police noted that the child was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Doctors also noted that the child had extensive bruising and scratches on her face and body. Including on her eyelids, eyes, cheeks, forehead and nose.

Police spoke with Williams who allegedly said she did not have any idea what happened and thought that the child was having an allergic reaction. Williams told police that she did not observe any injuries until that night when she was putting her to bed, according to court documents.

Williams then told troopers that she and the child were at the home of Ott that night and allegedly started to shift the blame onto Ott, according to the complaint. Police said Williams told them “Ott was the only person alone with the victim at the time the injuries could have been sustained.”

Ott told police that he did not observe the injuries on the child and did not have any idea what had happened, according to the affidavit. Ott allegedly confirmed that only he and Williams were at the residence along with the victim.

On March 10, a doctor at UPMC Pittsburgh ruled the injuries as consistent with child abuse. They said, “These injuries are diagnostic of physical abuse. There is no accidental mechanism which could cause these injuries.” They also noted the injuries would have caused the child ‘substantial pain,’ according to the complaint.

Both Ott and Williams are facing felony charges of endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault of a victim less than 6 and a misdemeanor simple assault charge. They are both in Bedford County Prison with bail set at $75,000.

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Preliminary hearings are scheduled for May 15.

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