Centralia Police have arrested a 28-year-old Centralia man on child abuse related charges after the two month old girl was taken to the Herrin Hospital for treatment of injuries.
After the investigation, Joshua Witkowski of South Hickory Street was arrested for aggravated domestic battery and endangering the life of a child.
Police Chief Greg Dodson says Witkowski was the young girl’s father and had her for visitation. When she returned home the family found bruising, a hand print on the girl’s face and a burn mark on her chest.
After the doctor felt the injuries were from child abuse, the Department of Children and Family Services was called in.
Centralia Police became involved because the incident allegedly occurred at Witkowski’s home.
Dodson says Witkowski claimed the injuries occurred when he accidentally dropped her in the sink while giving her a bath and claimed the burn mark was from too much calcium in the water.
Witkowski was taken to the Marion County Jail to await a decision on any formal charges.
