Roaring Spring mother accused of breaking baby’s ribs

Johns allegedly grabbed baby aggressively around the ribs

A Roaring Spring teen is behind bars after allegedly assaulting her 3-month-old daughter, breaking six of the child's ribs.

Liberti Nikole Renee Johns, 18, was arraigned Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Brian K. Baker on two felony counts each of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children and misdemeanor counts of simple assault and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bail was set at $400,000 and Johns was remanded to the Bedford County Correctional Facility. State police were dispatched about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday to UPMC Bedford after hospital staff reported that Johns and her boyfriend were attempting to leave with the child after being told the baby would be flown to UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for treatment.

Troopers were told the baby had a total of six broken ribs on both sides, a broken clavicle and a suspected head injury, the police report states.

Johns was taken to the Bedford police barracks where, after several hours of interviews and multiple different stories, she allegedly admitted to being frustrated with the baby. Johns allegedly said the child woke up about 4 a.m. and she grabbed the baby aggressively around the ribs, demonstrating how she picked the infant up from the child's swing, police reported.

The infant's injuries were consistent with the actions Johns demonstrated, police said.

Johns' preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 7 in Bedford County Central Court.