A New Kensington woman was charged Monday with felony aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with incidents that allegedly happened while she was babysitting a 3-month-old in January.
Detectives with the New Kensington Police Department responded to a ChildLine report filed Jan. 19 regarding incidents they say happened the weekend of Jan. 16-18.
When police interviewed Alexzandrea Derry, 24, on Jan. 29, she said she was getting into bed Jan. 17 while holding the baby when she lost her balance and the baby fell from her arms, hitting a box spring and the floor, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.
She told police that immediately after the incident, there were no signs of injury, but the baby was a “little fussy,” and about five hours later, she noticed a red mark on the baby’s ribs and another on the head, the complaint said.
Derry told police that, the next day, she was walking up the stairs with the baby, who was in a swing at the time, when she tripped and fell toward a cabinet but was unsure whether the baby had hit anything, the complaint said.
According to the complaint, doctors’ reports reviewed by detectives showed the baby had fractures to seven ribs, which, along with facial bruising, indicated physical abuse.
Per an interview with the baby’s mother, Derry had asked to watch the baby, but on an early-morning Facetime call on Jan. 19, Derry said she “could not take it,” as the baby was crying for a long time, according to the complaint.
The baby’s mother then picked up the baby and went to the hospital where Derry, over Facetime, explained to a nurse what happened, the complaint said.
Derry tested positive for cocaine and THC, according to the complaint, though it does not state when she was tested.
Derry does not have an attorney listed on court documents. A preliminary hearing has not been scheduled, according to court records.