BEAVERDALE, Pa. — A Cambria County man is charged with homicide after the toddler he was baby-sitting died in his care with injuries including a fractured skull and a herniated brain.
Authorities said Patrick Burkett, 25, was watching the child, Reagan Panick, Friday while her mother was at work.
When the child’s mother returned to Burkett’s Blanche Street home in Beaverdale, she noticed the child was unresponsive and called 911, officials said. The girl was rushed to a local hospital and then airlifted to UMPC Children’s Hospital.
According to criminal investigators, the victim suffered bruising on her head, abdomen, thigh and groin. The victim also suffered massive retinal hemorrhaging and a herniated brain.
Medical professionals said the injuries were consistent with the victim being assaulted.
Hospital officials said the infant died over the weekend.
Investigators said Burkett initially said he didn't know how Panick was injured, then told them several different accounts. Police said Burkett claimed Panick suffered various falls and was bumped into a table by a dog.
Burkett, who is being held in the Cambria County Jail, is facing aggravated assault, simple assault and endangering the welfare of children charges.