By JOHN ANDERSON
A Hornell man has been jailed on without bail for allegedly causing brain damage to a child under the age of five after two separate incidents, Hornell City Police Report.
The incidents allegedly took place in September and October and after the investigation, Taft was arrested Friday.
Hornell Police charged Robert E. Taft, 26, of Hornell, with first-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless assault of a child and endangering the welfare of a child.
Taft posted on Facebook, “I’d walk through Hell and back for you. Good night and sweet dreams baby girl.” Around 4 p.m. on Sunday, Taft’s Facebook page was deactivated.
One day ago, a family member posted the infant was slowing open the eyes.
The child was taken to the St. James Mercy Hospital Emergency Department in the early morning of October 23, WHAM-13 reported.
Taft was arrested on Nov. 11.
During September and October, Taft allegedly shook the child during separate incidents causing a brain injury to the toddler.
It is alleged that over the months of September and October of 2022, Taft shook a child less than five years old during two separate incidents and caused a brain injury to the child.
The arrest was a joint investigation with Hornell Police and the Steuben County Department of Social Services Child Protective Unit.
Taft was arraigned in Steuben County Court and sent to the Steuben County Jail on no bail. His next appearance will be in Hornell City Court.
