Teacher Who Attacked 2 Babies Worked At Montco Daycare For 5 Years: DA

UPPER PROVIDENCE, PA — The investigation into the assault of two babies at a Montgomery County daycare continues a week after a local teacher, who was employed there for five years, was arrested and charged.

Police said that Catalina Baldwin, 37, of Phoenixville, was responsible for a series of horrific attacks that left one baby so severely injured that part of her skull had to be surgically removed.

Authorities have not indicated if they suspect her of any assaults that occurred before the two recent incidents, but Baldwin had been a teacher for five years at Oaks Early Learning Center before her arrest.

Baldwin's work focused on the youngest group of children, and she was responsible for feeding, lesson planning, and other "basic needs, according to authorities.

One of the victims, a 7-month-old, was "healthy and alert" when she was dropped off the morning of her third day, which was July 9, police said. At around 10:04 a.m., Baldwin texted one of the other teachers and said "(the victim) is a nightmare," according to the DA's office.

At some point around this time, police and an investigation unit at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia said they believe the child suffered injuries consistent with a fall from a towering height, like a high building.

It's not clear exactly what Baldwin did to the child, but later that day, investigators said she searched "shaken syndrome" on the Internet on her phone.

At 10:12 a.m., eight minutes after she complained about the child, Baldwin told the school director that the victim couldn't hold up her head, and the school director called 911, police said.

First responders rushed the child to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in King of Prussia where she was diagnosed with numerous injuries, including a subdural hematoma due to serious head injury, retinal hemorrhages in both eyes, and injuries to the ligaments in her cervical spine.

She was then flown by helicopter to CHOP in Philadelphia, where part of her skull was removed to assist with treatment. She is currently recovering.

The other assault occurred months before, around May 29, officials said.

This child, a 5-month-old girl, suffered unexplained bleeding in her mouth, which was serious enough that she was taken to CHOP and put on a feeding tube, according to authorities.

The child was in the sole care of Baldwin at the same of the mysterious injury, the DA said.

The CHOP Child Protection Team described that injury as “highly concerning for non-accidental trauma/child physical abuse.”

Baldwin was arrested on Thursday, July 31 and booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility after failing to post $500,000 bail. A preliminary hearing will be held on Aug. 12.