Apr 27, 2016 3 min read

A correctional officer at Washington County jail was charged Wednesday by East Bethlehem Township police with assault of a child and simple assault for allegedly assaulting his 5-year-old stepdaughter and his wife, who also is a correctional officer, at their home two days earlier.

This is not the first time Andrew Lee Taylor, 29, of 55 Bethlehem St., Fredericktown, was charged by township police for assaulting Courtney Taylor. She was his girlfriend when he was charged in December 2014 after she accused him of choking her and threatening to kill her that October when she lived in Vestaburg. Charges of witness intimidation, terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct were dismissed last April after he took an anger-management course, was evaluated for drug and alcohol use and had a mental health work-up.

Police Chief Mark Pompe said officers were called to the couple’s home just after 9 p.m. Monday for a report of a domestic dispute. Courtney Taylor told police she was assaulted by her husband. The officer could see a bruise on her left arm, what appeared to be knuckle marks on her abdomen and scrapes on her arm.

She told police the two had an argument, which became a physical confrontation when her husband allegedly grabbed her by the neck and punched her in the stomach. He then allegedly threw her on the bed, grabbed her by the hair and pulled her off of it.

Courtney Taylor said when she was bathing her daughter, she noticed bruising on the child’s buttocks and the inside of her hips. She said Andrew Taylor was the last person to be in care of the child. Pompe said the girl was taken to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC for an evaluation. The chief learned the girl was returned to the hospital Wednesday. Washington County Children and Youth Services also was notified.

Andrew Taylor was gone when police arrived at the home Monday night. Courtney Taylor refused treatment for her injuries, police said. The couple’s infant child also was home but was not injured, Pompe said.

Andrew Taylor has worked at the jail since March 2011. Courtney Taylor has been a part-time employee since April 2014.

Andrew Taylor, who also is charged with harassment and disorderly conduct, was picked up Wednesday afternoon on a warrant and arraigned on the charges before District Judge Robert Redlinger. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bond. He faces a May 11 preliminary hearing before District Judge Mark Wilson.

On Wednesday afternoon at the jail, Kathleen Bali, Washington County director of human resources, said of Andrew Taylor, “Currently, he is still an employee. Obviously, we’re dealing with this from a personnel perspective. We’re waiting to see what the outcome is.”

Courtney Taylor also is still employed at the jail.