Catalina Baldwin (Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney's Office)
Phoenixville area woman Catalina Baldwin accused of abusing two children at Oaks Early Learning Center; 7-month-old remains hospitalized after emergency brain surgery
A Montgomery County daycare worker has been charged with violently assaulting two infants in her care, including a 7-month-old girl who remains hospitalized after undergoing emergency brain surgery.
Catalina Baldwin, 37, of Upper Providence Township, was arraigned Wednesday on felony counts of aggravated assault and related offenses following an investigation by Upper Providence Township Police and Montgomery County Detectives.
Authorities said Baldwin was the sole caregiver in the infant room at Oaks Early Learning Center on Egypt Road on July 9 when she allegedly inflicted life-threatening injuries on a baby.
Emergency responders were already on site for a separate event when Baldwin alerted the daycare director at 10:12 a.m. on July 9 about the child’s condition. The director found the baby listless and unable to hold up their head, police alleged.
Firefighters provided immediate aid before EMS transported the infant to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in King of Prussia, where doctors diagnosed a subdural hematoma, uncal herniation, retinal hemorrhaging in both eyes, and cervical spinal ligament injuries — all consistent with non-accidental trauma, police said.
The child was later flown to CHOP in Philadelphia and underwent emergency surgery, which required the removal of part of their skull to relieve pressure. The baby remains hospitalized, authorities said.
Investigators said it was the infant's third day at the daycare, and had been healthy and alert when dropped off by parents that morning. Baldwin had been the only caregiver assigned to the infant room, police said.
According to a criminal complaint, eight minutes before alerting the director, Baldwin texted another staff member: “(The infant) is a nightmare.”
A subsequent review of Baldwin’s phone revealed a July 11 internet search for “Shaken Syndrome," police alleged.
Authorities also linked Baldwin to a prior injury involving a 5-month-old, who suffered unexplained bleeding from the mouth while under Baldwin’s care in May, according to the complaint. Though Baldwin claimed the child had chewed on a broken wicker basket, doctors at CHOP determined the injuries were highly concerning for physical abuse.
The child required a feeding tube due to the trauma.
Police charged Baldwin with two felony counts each of aggravated assault, two counts of felony aggravated assault on a victim under six, two counts of felony endangering the welfare of children, and two misdemeanor counts each of assault and recklessly endangering another person.
Baldwin was arraigned Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge Marc Alfarano, who set bail at $500,000 cash with restrictions barring contact with minors and the victims' families.
She is being held at Montgomery County Correctional Facility pending a bail hearing.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 12 before Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief of Trials Lauren Marvel of the Family Protection Unit.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records and information provided by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office
