The brutal beatings of two boys in western Pa. took place over two years, all at the hands of their father, state police say.
“I understand you’re allowed to discipline your children, it’s stated in the crime codes, however, that’s not disciplining your kids,” a Pa. state trooper is quoted as saying in the case.
Instead, it is a crime.
And now the accused dad is on the run. State police in Fayette County, Pa., are asking for the public’s help to locate and arrest him.
The suspect is identified as 37-year-old Jeremy Showman of Franklin Township, Fayette County.
Trooper Robert Broadwater tells KDKA Showman allegedly used “metal baseball bats, metal sticks, wooden boards and belts” in the assaults, allegedly beating the children so badly it was hard for them to walk.
“There was significant bruising on the children, significant signs of injury … identifiable as they were beaten, not struck, not hit, not disciplined but beaten,” Broadwater said.
Showman is being sought on felony counts of endangering the welfare of children and multiple simple assault charges in the case.
The Post-Gazette reports Fayette County Children and Youth Services alerted state police to the alleged abuse in January. At that time, the county took custody of the kids and placed them in foster care. Both boys had bruising on their bodies.
Another of Showman’s children apparently died inside the house, KDKA writes, adding that the death ruled sudden infant death syndrome. Investigators also found deplorable conditions inside the house at the time, the station writes.
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