JERSEY SHORE, Pa. -- A man in Lycoming County is charged with aggravated assault for allegedly shaking a baby.
Tyler Vaughan, 21, of Jersey Shore, is accused of assaulting a 5-week old boy.
According to state police, the baby's injuries happened in late November and early December.
Vaughan turned himself in to state police this week. He was charged with aggravated and simple assault and endangering the welfare of a child. According to court papers, the baby boy stopped breathing on the morning of December 4.
The baby was rushed to the hospital where doctors say he had severe brain injuries and fractured ribs. Doctors also said the infant was a victim of shaken-baby syndrome and had prior injuries.
When questioned by police, Vaughan said on the morning of November 25, he got up to feed the baby. When the baby would not wake up and fit his schedule, Vaughan shook him hard.
He told police the shook the infant around to, "get him with the program."
Newswatch 16 spoke with people who live in Jersey Shore and they are horrified about what allegedly happened.
"It's sad that it's gotten to that point with children where nobody wants to step in and take care of anything," Dawn Litz said.
Alyssa Bell is pregnant with her first baby.
"I think it's really sad. I mean, why would you shake a child?" Bell asked.
Police say the baby suffered a heart attack and severe brain injury, as well as several broken ribs in the attack. The child is now blind and has brain damage.
Vaughan is charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children.
State police would not say who is caring for the baby. Tyler Vaughan was released on bail.