Steubenville, Ohio — A Steubenville woman, 20, accused of physically assaulting her one-month-old child, will remain in Jefferson County jail after a municipal judge ruled against reducing her bond on Tuesday. The case has been sent to the Jefferson County grand jury following a determination of probable cause by Municipal Judge John Mascio Jr.
Shayla Oxley, who was arrested on Jan. 24, faces charges of child endangerment, with law enforcement officials detailing a troubling episode involving the young child suffering from severe injuries. Despite arguments from Oxley’s attorney, Bruce Clark, to lower the $100,000 bond asserting her local ties and non-flight risk status, the court maintained the bond citing the severity of the charges.
Assistant Prosecutor Steve Lamatrice underscored the grave nature of the allegations during the hearing, pointing out the child’s critical condition on arrival at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, which included facial bruising and brain bleeding. The potential penalty if convicted could reach up to eight years in prison, highlighting the serious consequences of the charges.
During the hearing, Lamatrice described Oxley as a potential threat to the community. “The evidence we’ve gathered presents a compelling story of harm which, regrettably, points overwhelmingly to the defendant’s actions,” he said.
Steubenville Police Sgt. Ryan Lulla provided testimony regarding the incident, detailing how Oxley initially claimed the child had become inconsolable while at a friend’s house. What initially was reported as a minor tap on the head later contradicted the severe injuries doctors noted including multiple brain bleeds indicative of more significant trauma.
Further investigations revealed more conflicting accounts from Oxley, who, upon further questioning, admitted to striking the child in the head. This admission came after a friend of Oxley provided a video to police showing the baby earlier in the day without any bruises, casting doubt on Oxley’s initial statements.
The child, now placed in foster care overseen by Jefferson County Children Services, shows no signs of long-term physical effects from the incident thus far, according to medical professionals at Children’s Hospital where he was treated for approximately five days.
Mascio, while presiding over the hearing, acknowledged Oxley’s right to the presumption of innocence but cited the substantial evidence laid out by the prosecution as a basis for maintaining the original bond amount. Additionally, Oxley has been restricted from seeing her child without explicit approval from the children’s services.
This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding child welfare and the legal consequences of endangering the wellbeing of the most vulnerable. It also raises critical discussions on the adequacy of protective measures for children and the judicial system’s role in balancing the rights of the accused with the safety of individuals.
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