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Police say father beat infant

A father is behind bars after police say he beat an Altoona infant, leaving the nearly 9-month-old baby with a broken femur and covered in bruises.

Altoona police Detective Cpl. Nichole Douglas said Wednesday that Christopher M. Kelly, 22, of 715 Washington St., Huntingdon, and formerly of Altoona, became upset that his infant son was crying while babysitting the boy March 16, something Douglas noted was in direct violation of Kelly’s probation.

Kelly is currently on probation for smashing the same child’s face off a rocking chair in early December 2013 and was restricted from having contact with the child, Douglas noted.

The baby’s mother, Amber McBride, 19, of 904 Fifth Ave., second floor, has also been charged. Police said McBride knew Kelly wasn’t allowed to be around the child but called him to babysit anyway.

Douglas pointed out McBride saw the bruises on the child but never notified police or sought medical attention for the baby.

Douglas said Kelly beat the child and ultimately threw the infant onto the floor.

“Oh well, bruises will heal,” McBride allegedly said when she discovered the injuries.

On Wednesday, Blair County Children, Youth & Families contacted police after a scheduled appointment where a caseworker noticed the child was covered in bruises, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Police said the baby had bruises on both sides of his face, his lower back, legs and buttocks, as well as a broken femur. McBride also denied she knew how the child was injured when asked by the caseworker.

When questioned, Kelly allegedly admitted he became angry with the baby and repeatedly struck the boy, who police said only weighed about 17 pounds

Douglas said the child, who was taken to UPMC Altoona for treatment, has been taken into protective custody.

Kelly and McBride were taken to Blair County Central Booking about 6:30 p.m. for arraignment on multiple charges. Kelly faces aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault and harassment charges, while McBride is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and recklessly endangering another person.

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