Two Charged for Baby’s Injuries

A couple has been charged in the severe injuries of a child in their custody. Police say the injuries are consistent with shaken-baby syndrome and that the child had extensive bruising.

Nereida P. Allen, 22, and her live-in boyfriend Joshua W. Peacher, 23 were arrested early this morning for assault, criminal abuse, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The two-year-old boy is Allen’s nephew. He had been in her custody for the past four months.

The couple took the boy to a hospital, who promptly called the police and had the boy transferred to an intensive care unit at another nearby hospital.

The boy is on life support and not expected to live.

Another two-year-old who had been living with Allen and Peacher has been placed in state care, though police are unsure of the child’s relationship to them.