Man called ‘danger to society’ after toddler hospitalized with head injuries

BUTLER COUNTY, Pa. — A two-year-old girl remains in the hospital with severe head injuries and a man is in jail without bond in connection.

“Do you have anything to say?” Channel 11′s Amy Marcinkiewicz asked the suspect.

20-year-old Dakota Anthony didn’t answer any questions as he was led away in handcuffs by state police troopers. Investigators said he was the only one watching his girlfriend’s daughter on Dec. 10 in Petrolia, Butler County when the girl was injured. The toddler had to be flown to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment because of massive head injuries.

According to the criminal complaint, Anthony told doctors and police he was changing the girl’s diaper when she fell. Troopers said that his story doesn’t add up: the changing table was almost 3 feet tall and the floor was covered with carpeting.

When confronted, Anthony continued to maintain his story, according to state police.

Officials told Channel 11 they believe the child will recover, but her quality of life will not be the same. A judge called Anthony a danger to society and put him in jail without bond.

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