Venango County Couple Charged with Abuse of Infant

Aly Delp

Aly Delp

Published June 28, 2018 4:20 am
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VENANGO CO., Pa. (EYT) — An Oil City couple were jailed on multiple charges on Tuesday, June 26, after it was reported that their infant son had suspicious injuries.

According to court documents, 21-year-old Brennen Allen Blauser and 23-year-old Ashley Marie Caldwell, both of Oil City, were arraigned on June 26 on the following charges:

– Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Felony 3
– Conspiracy — Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Felony 3
– Aggravated Assault, Felony 1
– Conspiracy — Aggravated Assault, Felony 1
– Aggravated Assault — Victim Less Than 6 and Defendant 18 or older, Felony 2
– Conspiracy — Aggravated Assault — Victim Less Than 6 and Defendant 18 or older, Felony 2
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– Conspiracy — Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2

According to a criminal complaint, on Friday, June 8, Patrolman Culp responded to UPMC Northwest and met with a caseworker from Venango County Children and Youth Services (CYS) to investigate a report by emergency room staff of suspected child abuse.

Upon arrival, Patrolman Culp observed and documented several visible injuries suffered by an infant male. Based on the level of the injuries, the boy was transported to UPMC Children’s Hospital’s Child Advocacy Center for a comprehensive examination.

Following the visit at UPMC Northwest, Patrolman Culp spoke to Ashley Marie Caldwell and Brennen Allen Blauser in their home with an advocate from Venango County CYS.

According to the complaint, during the conversation, Blauser admitted to being “too rough” occasionally during feeding and burping.

The complaint also stated that when spoken to alone, Caldwell stated that Blauser becomes frustrated during feedings and became rough and forceful with the bottle. Caldwell also stated that she had verbally admonished Blauser for his conduct.

On Saturday, June 9, the comprehensive examination was conducted by Dr. Adelaide Eichman of UPMC Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Center.

Patrolman Culp obtained a copy of Dr. Eichman’s report which indicated that the infant boy has suffered multiple oral injuries, hemorrhaging in both eyes, abrasions in various stages of healing to both ears, and additional abrasions, bruising, and petechiae about the face.

Dr. Eichman’s conclusion from the exam was that the infant boy was the victim of physical child abuse. The report stated that it is Dr. Eichman’s belief that if the boy is reintroduced into the same home environment, he will be reinjured and could be killed.

Dr. Eichman conducted a follow-up examination on Tuesday, June 19, and Patrolman Culp received a copy of her post exam report. The follow-up examination included a skeletal survey which revealed fractures in various stages of healing to the infant’s left tibia as well as to several ribs.

Blauser and Caldwell were arraigned at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 26, in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office.

Unable to post $25,000.00 each cash bail, Blauser and Caldwell were lodged in the Venango County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 11, with Judge Fish presiding.

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