The father was arrested following what has been described as multiple injuries to the baby. Dustin Smith was apprehended by police on June 3rd after they were informed of the incident by Child Protective Services.
Dustin Smith, 22, is now facing felony charges; two counts of assualt, an attempted assualt, endangering the welfare of a baby and reckless endangerment.
The baby was admitted to the Strong Memorial Hospital for sustained injuries. There was evidence of multiple rib fractures, fractures in both legs, and suspected fractures of the humerus bones in both arms. The injuries were suspicious so the Livingston County Child Protective Services contacted the Sheriff's Office.
Investigators were sent out to the childs home to determine the cause of the injuries. Deputies are alleging that the baby's father, Dustin Smith, was responsible for the inhuries with Sheriff Tom Dougherty reporting the arrest. It is believed that the fathewr had become agitated and angry while looking after the baby.
The deputies suspect that Smith, from Nunda NY, had held the baby down and forcibly squeezed the child causing the injuries. The baby is now being cared for by family outside of the home and there is an order protection that has been issued to prevent Smith from having any contact.
"There is no greater crime than a crime against an innocent child. In this case, an infant who has no voice to tell, no ability to run away and apparently has no protector in the home." Sheriff Tom Dougherty had to say. "I commend the hospital staff that brought this to our attention, the caseworkers from Livingston County CPS for their great work, the Sheriff’s Investigators that aggressively investigated these heinous acts, as well as the Judge that reviewed the case at arraignment and followed the recommendation on bail and the complete stay away order of protection.”
Smith was arraigned and remanded to jail at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part. Justice Mark Riggi set the bail at $15,000 cash or a $30,000 bond. The sheriff's then took Smith into custody at the Livingston County Jail.