A Gettysburg man faces charges in connection with allegations of child abuse that led to life-threatening injuries and brain surgery for a 4-year-old boy, Adams County's district attorney announced Thursday.
Michael Joseph Love, 22, of 255 Chambersburg St., was the boy's primary caretaker from September until his Dec. 4 arrest after the boy was taken to the hospital with severe injuries, District Attorney Shawn Wagner said in a press release.
The boy, who was not identified, suffered
a subdural hematoma, multiple bruises and abrasions, burns on his skin, fractures to three vertebrae, his fingers, corneas and evidence of an older laceration to his liver, Wagner said.
Most of the boy's injuries were "acute," Wagner said, meaning they occurred close to the time he was admitted to the hospital. Doctors didn't have an exact timeline when the older liver injury occurred, he added.
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While at Hershey, the boy underwent brain surgery to control the hematoma, Wagner added.
Testimony at Love's preliminary hearing Wednesday in central court related that
the boy's mother gave him to Love in September to be his primary caretaker, Wagner said.
Love was not the boy's father, but declined to say what if any custody agreement was in place.
Adams County Children and Youth Services has custody of the boy, Wagner said.
The investigation is ongoing and Wagner said
he expects others will be charged.
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