An Altoona man is behind bars today after he was charged with abusing a 6-week-old baby following an investigation that began four years ago. Charged was 35-year-old Michael Mathews Jr., who faces charges of aggravated assault, child endangerment, and other related counts. In the summer of 2020 authorities were called in after the infant was taken to UPMC Altoona with numerous injuries, including a broken arm and fractured ribs. Matthews reportedly told authorities he was walking down a flight of stairs when he tripped while carrying the child and fell on top it, however another child in the home saw the incident and told authorities Mathews dropped the child from the top of the stairs. Earlier in the year, Mathews reportedly was interviewed by police and allegedly admitted that his apartment was, in his words, “a drug hub,” and that he and the mother of the child used drugs all the time. Mathews was arraigned last Friday. He is currently in the Blair County Prison, where bail has been set at $200,000. Mathews’ preliminary hearing has been scheduled for November 27th.
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