FATHER ACCUSED OF INJURING TODDLER

Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY)

Author: Jim O'Hara Staff writer

A Lysander man was arrested Tuesday on charges he shook one of his two daughters, seriously injuring the toddler two weeks ago.

Stephen L. Truex, 39, of 6213 Alletta Circle, surrendered to state police and was charged with first-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Christine Garvey said the charges stem from an incident that occurred the morning of Jan.13 at the Truex residence. She said authorities were notified after Truex brought his 13-month-old daughter to a neighbor's home and the neighbor called for an ambulance.

Truex had been home alone with his two daughters that morning, but the second child was not injured in any way, Garvey said. She said both children were from China and had been adopted by the Truex family.

The prosecutor declined to comment further on the specifics of the case now that charges are pending.

The investigation, however, also sparked a neglect case in Onondaga County Family Court.

Family Court records indicate county officials moved last week to have Stephen and Kathryn Truex's second daughter, who will be 4 in March, temporarily removed from the family home as a result of what happened to her younger sister. The records indicate the older daughter was placed in the custody of other relatives while the neglect case is pending.

Garvey said Tuesday there are no criminal charges pending against Kathryn Truex in the case.

The Family Court records indicate the 13-month-old child was hospitalized Jan.13 and that officials at University Hospital indicated she was suffering from injuries consistent with Shaken Infant Syndrome.

Garvey said Tuesday that the little girl remains hospitalized and is in "very serious" condition.

Stephen Truex was arraigned Tuesday before Lysander Justice W. Patrick Mullin. If convicted as charged, he could face up to 25 years in state prison.