A Baltimore Police Department officer, Christian Dwayne Allen, has been convicted of second-degree assault on his four-year-old daughter. According to the State's Attorney's Office, the guilty verdict was announced by State's Attorney Ivan J. Bates, who emphasized the gravity of domestic violence, stating it is a "pervasive issue" that transcends all boundaries within the city.
"The trauma inflicted as a result of Mr. Allen's actions cannot be overstated," States Attorney Bates said, "and I am thankful to ASA Rothwell for holding him accountable for this disgraceful behavior." Found guilty of entering the hallway, the incident that led to Allen's conviction happened on January 26, when he had a verbal dispute with his wife, following which he threw a cellphone that subsequently hit and injured their daughter.
Allen, now facing penalties of up to 10 years in prison or a $5,000 fine, is scheduled to receive his sentence in September. The incident, reported in the 1700 block of Bank Street, resulted in a broken clavicle for the young child when she was inadvertently struck by the cellphone.
Assistant State's Attorney Kimberly K. P. Rothwell, responsible for the prosecution, helped illuminate this case as an instance of how domestic assault can affect anyone, regardless of occupation. "Whether you wear a uniform or not, domestic violence is completely unacceptable," States Attorney Bates echoed in a statement.
