ST. PETER — Charges filed in Nicollet County allege a Waseca man physically abused a toddler in January.
Jerimyah Nevan Worcester, 23, was charged with felony third-degree assault of a child younger than 4 years old, felony assault causing substantial bodily harm, two felonies for malicious punishment of a child and felony child neglect Friday in Nicollet County District Court.
The investigation into Worcester started in January after police responded to a report at River’s Edge Hospital about a 17-month-old child coming in with bruising on his face and head, according to a criminal complaint. The child was transferred to Children’s Minnesota hospital due to the severity of the injuries.
A woman who helps care for the child with Worcester reportedly claimed the toddler sustained the injuries after falling asleep on his bottle in a crib. The two reiterated the claim to police, followed by Worcester saying the toddler also fell down a flight of carpeted stairs, according to the complaint.
Investigators reported the woman said she left the toddler in Worcester’s care for about 10 minutes. Surveillance footage from the residence suggested she was gone for about five hours.
More interviews with Worcester and the woman reportedly highlighted inconsistencies in their statements. Worcester at one point said he may have played a little too rough with the toddler, but gave multiple explanations for the injuries, the complaint states.
Medical records reviewed by police suggest the child’s injuries, including abdominal trauma, a subdural hemorrhage and bruising on his face and head, weren’t caused by lying on a bottle. The explanations wouldn’t account for all of the injuries, a physician noted, with the totality of the injuries suggesting they “were the result of abuse.”
A warrant was issued for Worcester’s arrest after further attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.