Canonsburg police refile child abuse charges against local couple
A Canonsburg couple will continue to face charges connected to severe injuries suffered by a 4-year-old in their care after police refiled charges Wednesday.
Jessica Faith Powell and Maceo V. Williams appeared for a preliminary hearing Nov. 28 at which District Judge James Saieva dismissed felony charges of aggravated assault and a misdemeanor of simple assault.
Police withdrew a charge of endangering the welfare of children that had been held for common pleas court before filing new charges. District Attorney Jason Walsh said additional testimony will be presented at the next preliminary hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
According to court records, Williams, 46, called police to his and Powell’s home in the 200 block of Glenn Avenue just before midnight March 16.
Police found the girl in the bedroom with deep cuts on her scalp, ear and right arm. The child was transported to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, where she received 25 stitches, according to the criminal complaint.
Powell, 30, and Williams told investigators that the child is autistic and has a history of self-harm. According to the complaint, a Children’s Hospital doctor determined the wounds had been caused by an object and that an adult most likely knows what happened.
Police returned to their home on March 22 and discovered a razor blade.
Powell and Williams have not been arraigned on the new set of charges.