Butler County man facing assault charges, accused of abusing 11-month-old baby
Jacob Rupert, of Saxonburg, walked into court Monday morning a free man and walked out in handcuffs and headed to jail.
Rupert is facing aggravated assault and child endangerment charges in the brutal beating of an 11-month-old girl.
Police were called to his then girlfriend’s house in April in Kiski Township where Rupert was watching the child while her mother was working.
He told police he found the child limp and not supporting herself.
“We were called for an unresponsive infant here in Kiski township and through the course of the investigation, led us to believe Mr. Rupert was the suspect that caused these injuries to this 11-month-old child,” Kiski Township Sergeant Tom Dessell said.
Doctors told police she had multiple vertebrae fractures, bruising and swelling to her face and chest.
“The physician indicated the injuries were a result of trauma and that the child was a victim of physical abuse,” according to police paperwork. The baby was admitted again a few days later with retinal hemorrhaging in her eye.
Police say previous incidents, months prior, brought into question when the baby would show up with bruising on her body.
Rupert allegedly blamed it on the child falling into a dog crate, or a minor car accident.
Police wrote in an affidavit, “…that her daughter fell in her crib according to Rupert. When asked if she believed Rupert, she said she did before but now she does not.”
“Kids are kids. You need to look out for them no matter what,” Dessell said.
Rupert is in the Armstrong County Jail.
He is due in court next week.
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