2003 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA   INFORMATION

February 25, 2003

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi and Camden Police Chief Robert Allenbach announced that Rodney Bacchues, M/35, of Camden, was charged today with two counts of Aggravated Assault and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child in connection with injuries sustained by his 3-month-old son.

The defendant, of the 800 block of North 26th Street, took his son, Rodney Bacchues Jr., to the Engine 11 fire station in Camden at approximately 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003. The child was not breathing. Fire personnel began CPR and called for an ambulance. The baby was rushed to Cooper Medical Center in Camden, where doctors found a bandage stuck in the child's throat and used forceps to remove the blockage. Further tests revealed that the baby had also suffered multiple skull and rib fractures. The baby transferred Monday to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. It is unclear at this time how extensively the baby's brain was damaged due to lack of oxygen.

The investigation indicates the baby's mother was not home at the time the injuries were allegedly inflicted.

The defendant was lodged in the Camden County Correctional Facility in lieu of $75,000 bail, cash or bond. The offenses alleged constitute second-degree offenses, each carrying a maximum prison term of 10 years.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.