2-month-old son's skull fractured by 27-year-old father, police say

A 27-year-old father from Perkiomen Township faces charges of aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and other related offenses for allegedly fracturing the skull of his 2-month-old son.

The charges against Tahir Marcel Riley, of the 200 block of Concord Road, stem from allegations of physical abuse inflicted upon his child while he was under his care over two days last month, according to The Mercury.

Scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Adam T. Katzman on May 29, Riley currently remains in custody at the county jail on $1 million bail.

The investigation into Riley's alleged abuse began following concerns raised by medical professionals at Pediatric Medical Associates on West Germantown Pike in East Norriton Township.

The infant, who appeared healthy during a checkup on April 15, exhibited signs of trauma during a subsequent visit four days later, including severe swelling and bruising to his head and face, according to the report. The baby’s head was swollen and the left side of the face was bruised and discolored from the left ear to the left eye, down the jaw, and on the right side of the face, police said.

Riley, accompanied by a relative, took the child to the medical facility, where suspicions of abuse were reported to the authorities.

Upon questioning by police, Riley allegedly provided inconsistent explanations for the injuries sustained by his son, according to The Mercury. He initially claimed ignorance regarding the cause, police said, but later admitted to actions that could have inadvertently harmed the child, citing stress, lack of sleep, and frustration.

Medical experts at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia confirmed that the injuries were consistent with physical abuse rather than accidental trauma, per the article.

Family members corroborated Riley's account of caring for the infant and attested to the absence of visible injuries prior to the incident. Riley watched the infant on the night of April 18, according to authorities. However, one relative discovered the child's injuries on the morning of April 19 in the basement, prompting immediate action to seek medical attention, officials said.

At first, Riley claimed he watched the baby until he got fussy and gave him a bottle and put him in a bassinet. Then, he claimed to feed the baby again at 3 a.m., and the baby woke at 7 a.m., police said. Then, Riley told police he placed his son in a swing seat until the baby fell asleep again.

During a later interview, Riley allegedly said he picked up the baby too hard when he grabbed him, according to charging documents. Riley's subsequent alleged admissions to police, coupled with medical findings, led to the conclusion that the child had suffered abuse while under his care, investigators said.

Per the report, CHOP concluded the child had “inflicted trauma/child physical abuse” injuries.

This incident has added another layer of tragedy to a family already grappling with the consequences of a devastating event.

The child’s mother is Jayana Tanae Webb, 24, who is currently serving a 27 ½ to 60 years in prison for her involvement in a fatal accident.

Webb was convicted of third-degree murder, vehicular homicide, and DUI charges following a crash on I-95 in Philadelphia in March 2022. The collision resulted in the deaths of two Pennsylvania State troopers, Branden T. Sisca and Martin F. Mack III, along with another individual.

Both troopers were esteemed members of their communities, with Sisca having served as the chief of the Trappe Fire Company and Mack being a distinguished graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School and Albright College, per the report.

Webb, who was seven months pregnant at the time of her sentencing in November 2023, was permitted to remain out of custody until she gave birth to her son, whom she shares with Riley, according to The Mercury.

However, she surrendered to authorities on March 15, 2024, to commence her prison term, per the report.