CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Cross Lanes woman is facing felony child abuse charges after her baby suffered serious injuries and deputies say she failed to get timely medical attention for the child. Katelyn Berger, 21, of Cross Lanes was arrested this week on child abuse charges when the child, 33 days old, was brought to a doctor with significant injuries.
Berger is accused of squeezing the child so hard it fractured ribs and punctured a lung. Investigators say Berger admitted to squeezing the child on December 31st causing the injuries, but failed to seek medical attention for the child baby was finally brought to the doctor on January 4th for a scheduled checkup and doctors noticed the condition.
The child was taken to CAMC from the St. Albans doctors office in respiratory distress. Chest x-rays showed the baby had “numerous” fractured ribs and a punctured lung as a result of one of the broken ribs, according to court documents. There was also a bruise to one of her eyes. The doctor consulting with investigators reported that the baby’s injuries were the result of abuse. The baby remains in intensive care.
When questioned by investigators Berger admitted to the incident, but said she didn’t seek medical attention for the child out of fear. Berger was arraigned Friday in Kanawha County Magistrate Court. She is currently in South Central Regional Jail on a $100,000 bond.