A 25-year-old Lancaster County man was taken into custody Monday night after a 13-month-old child was found with redness and swelling on both legs, according to authorities. Ephrata-area officers responded to the first block of Netzley Drive in the borough of Denver, and the child was later evaluated at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital for medical assessment.
Court documents cited by FOX43 identify the suspect as 25-year-old Alexander Joseph Azukas. The filings allege he "reportedly pulled aggressively on the 13-month-old's legs" before officers arrived. According to those records, Azukas was transported to the Ephrata Police Department after the initial response and is charged with endangering the welfare of children and simple assault.
Police response and the child's care
The Ephrata Police Department reports that officers were dispatched to Netzley Drive for a call about an assault and found the infant with visible redness and swelling to both legs. The child was taken to WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital for evaluation, while Azukas was brought to the Ephrata Police Department for processing. Police have not released any additional details about the child's condition or prognosis.
Charges and bail
Court filings reviewed by FOX43 state that Azukas faces counts of endangering the welfare of children and simple assault and that he was released on $2,500 unsecured bail. The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to review the circumstances of the alleged assault.
Legal note
Under Pennsylvania law, the offense of endangering the welfare of children is defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 4304, while simple assault is set out in 18 Pa.C.S. § 2701. How those charges are graded and what penalties might apply will depend on the specific allegations in this case and any prior criminal record, decisions that will be made as the matter moves through the courts.
The arrest comes amid a series of recent child-abuse prosecutions in Lancaster County; see parents charged in brutal abuse case for another recent example. Anyone with information about the Netzley Drive incident is asked to contact the Ephrata Police Department through its public feed or by calling the department's non-emergency line at (717) 738-9200.
