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Man pleads not guilty in assault of 2-month-old

Staff photo / Guy Vogrin Christopher Elliott, 20, of Youngstown, left, appears Wednesday morning in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court for arraignment in the assault of a 2-month-old.

WARREN — A Youngstown man pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of breaking the bones of a Trumbull County 2-month-old in June.

Christopher Elliott, 20, of 164 N. Maryland Ave., Youngstown, appeared in orange coveralls for his arraignment in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Judge W. Wyatt McKay assigned attorney Mary Ellen Ditchey to stand in as Elliott pleaded not guilty to one count each of child endangering and felonious assault.

McKay set bond at $15,000 and ordered that Elliott have no contact with the victim.

The case was assigned to Judge Peter J. Kontos, and Elliott is scheduled to appear in that court Oct. 19 for a pretrial hearing.

Ditchey told the judge if he makes bond, Elliott will plan to stay with relatives in Youngstown. Elliott remained in custody late Wednesday.

Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Diane Barber said the defendant had no prior felonies, which is why she asked for a lower bond than usually sought for those charged with second-degree felonies. She told the judge her case is strong because the defendant admitted to the offenses.

The case was investigated by Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office investigators, and the alleged assault took place June 5. The baby was not identified, but authorities said the victim was hospitalized at Akron Children’s Hospital with broken ribs and a broken femur.

A Trumbull County grand jury heard the case and passed on a sealed indictment last week. Elliott was taken into custody and booked into Trumbull County jail at 3:06 p.m. Monday, records show.

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