A woman from Derry faces charges of aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, possession of drugs, and other crimes as police say she abused her 23-month old son and smoked crack cocaine while the child sat in her lap.
28-year-old Crystal Steele was arraigned on Friday by judge Tony Bompiani on several charges that came from a week-long investigation conducted by State Police and Westmoreland County Children and Youth Services. State police said they received a tip from the state child abuse tip line that said Steele hit her child and pulled the child’s arm behind its head to the point that it popped.
The child was eventually taken to Childrens’ Hospital for treatment. Steele initially said the injuries were from a fall, but later admitted to repeatedly striking the child after smoking crystal meth.
Steele is now in Westmoreland County Prison in lieu of $275,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for March 18th.
