PERTH - A justice of the peace granted release from police custody to a 19-year-old father charged with assault after an incident that left his seven-week-old baby in critical condition
in Perth on Friday, May 21.
The accused, who cannot be named under a publication ban, is only identified as a Lanark County man. The publication ban also prevents reporting on the reasons for bail being granted, as well as any details of the assault.
The accused was granted release during a May 27 bail hearing at Perth court, presided over by Justice of the Peace Barry Moran.
Perth police said the child was rushed to the Great War
Memorial site of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital on Friday, May 21 before
being transferred to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in
Ottawa. A police investigation began after the child’s injuries were
deemed to be suspicious in nature.
Police arrested a 19-year-old Lanark County man and charged him with
assault and aggravated assault on May 22. Police said the accused is the father
of the victim but his identity has not been released. No further
information about the incident will be released at this time, said
Const. Dan Truelove.
Due to the publication ban and a request from the child's mother, officials at CHEO declined to release an update on the child's condition on Friday, May 28.
The accused's next court appearance will be June 14 in Perth.