Man Found Guilty For Abusing Woburn Infant in '07

An East Bridgewater man charged with abusing a three-month-old Woburn infant in 2007 was found guilty by a Middlesex Superior Court jury yesterday.

According to Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, Matthew Traylor, 27, of East Bridgewater was found guilty on two counts of assault and battery on a child causing substantial bodily injury and five counts of assault and battery on a child causing bodily injury.

Traylor will be sentenced for the crimes by Middlesex Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Fahey on Feb. 23.

"This defendant has been found guilty as a result of the abuse sustained by his infant son on numerous occasions since his birth,” said Leone Wednesday. "We commend the jury for their just verdict today in holding this defendant responsible as a caretaker in wantonly and recklessly allowing his child to suffer and be injured by another. Children are our most vulnerable victims and we will continue to prosecute those charged with in connection their abuse.”

According to authorities, on Sept. 17, 2007, Traylor and the child's mother brought the baby to Winchester Hospital. According to authorities, Traylor told hospital staff that the baby's shoulder was swelling and the infant had been "irritable and crying." Hospital staff took x-rays of the victim and immediately transferred the victim to Children’s Hospital in Boston for treatment.

Authorities reported that when additional x-rays and exams were conducted at Children’s Hospital, the doctor's determined that the victim had 17 rib fractures in at least two different stages of healing, a lacerated spleen and liver, a fractured humerus, a fractured tibia and a fracture to his pelvis. Doctors also observed bruising on several areas of the infant’s body.

Woburn Police and the Department of Social Services investigated the infant's injuries and found that Traylor would arrive at the victim’s home in Woburn and care for the child during the majority of the day. According to authorities, the abuse began when the victim’s mother returned to work and the defendant became the victim’s primary caretaker.