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Troopers responded to a call about a baby in cardiac arrest at a home on Canvasback Drive in Oliver Township on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 8:31 a.m., Pennsylvania State Police said in the affidavit of probable cause.
The baby, identified as "CR," was taken to Penn State Hershey Medical Center, where doctors found severe injuries, including extensive subdural hematomas, retinal hemorrhages, and bruising considered a sentinel injury, according to medical reports cited by police.
Eriezer Melendez, 37, admitted to troopers that the baby fell from his lap onto the floor while he was asleep. He later confessed to shaking the baby “one good time” to wake her up and described her head rocking back and forth during the act, police said in the affidavit.
The infant was classified as comatose upon arrival at the hospital, and doctors determined her injuries were consistent with abusive head trauma, police said.
Melendez is being held on $300,000 bail and faces multiple charges, including:
- Felony Aggravated assault – attempts to cause serious bodily injury or causes injury with extreme indifference.
- Felony Aggravated assault – victim less than 6 years old and defendant 18 or older.
- Felony Endangering welfare of children – parent/guardian commits offense.
- Felony Aggravated assault – victim less than 13 years old and defendant 18 or older.
- Misdemeanor Simple assault.
Melendez's preliminary arraignment was held on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 5:21 p.m. before Judge Fredrick Cabell Jr. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m., court records show.
Eriezer Melendez has a prior criminal history that includes Misdemeanor Endangering the Welfare of Children, Misdemeanor Simple Assault, and Summary Harassment, stemming from an incident on Nov. 3, 2008. His record also includes felony convictions from March 5, 2008, for Forgery – Unauthorized Act in Writing, Theft by Unlawful Taking – Movable Property, Conspiracy to Commit Forgery, and Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Unlawful Taking.
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