WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - An 18-year-old Auburn man charged with physically abusing his 11-month-old cousin has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial.
Christian McFadden was arrested Jan. 17 on a charge of assault and battery on a child after the baby girl, who lived in the same house as McFadden, was hospitalized with a cervical spine compression and fractures, as well as two skull fractures and two arm fractures that appeared older and had begun to heal. He pleaded not guilty.
Witnesses told investigators the teen had shaken the baby violently.
Family members say McFadden has mental health issues and wouldn’t hurt the child intentionally.
The Telegram & Gazette (https://bit.ly/1hW3Ea2 ) reports that a judge ruled this week that McFadden is incompetent, a ruling that is subject to periodic review.
___
Information from: Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, Mass.), https://www.telegram.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.