OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — An Oil City couple is awaiting sentencing in a disturbing child abuse case.

Brennen Allen Blauser, 21, is scheduled to be sentenced on February 26, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., and sentencing for Ashley Marie Caldwell, 23, is slated for March 8 at 9:00 a.m.

Oil City Police Department filed the following charges against Blauser and Caldwell on June 26, 2018, in connection with a child abuse investigation:

– Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Felony 3
– Conspiracy — Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Felony 3
– Aggravated Assault, Felony 1
– Conspiracy — Aggravated Assault, Felony 1
– Aggravated Assault — Victim Less Than 6 and Defendant 18 or older, Felony 2
– Conspiracy — Aggravated Assault — Victim Less Than 6 and Defendant 18 or older, Felony 2
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– Conspiracy — Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2

Charges against both individuals were held for court on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, in a preliminary hearing in Venango County Central Court.

As part of a negotiated plea deal, Blauser pleaded guilty to one second-degree felony count of Aggravated Assault on December 13, 2018. All other charges were dropped.

Prosecution agreed to drop all charges against Caldwell when she pleaded guilty to one second-degree misdemeanor count of Recklessly Endangering Another Person on December 28, 2018.

Venango County Court of Common Pleas Judge Judge Robert L. Boyer will hand down both sentences.

Details of the case:

According to a criminal complaint, on Friday, June 8, Patrolman Culp responded to UPMC Northwest and met with a caseworker from Venango County Children and Youth Services (CYS) to investigate a report by emergency room staff of suspected child abuse.

Upon arrival, Patrolman Culp observed and documented several visible injuries suffered by an infant male. Based on the level of the injuries, the boy was transported to UPMC Children’s Hospital’s Child Advocacy Center for a comprehensive examination.

Following the visit at UPMC Northwest, Patrolman Culp spoke to Ashley Marie Caldwell and Brennen Allen Blauser in their home with an advocate from Venango County CYS.

According to the complaint, during the conversation, Blauser admitted to being “too rough” occasionally during feeding and burping.

The complaint also stated that when spoken to alone, Caldwell stated that Blauser becomes frustrated during feedings and became rough and forceful with the bottle. Caldwell also stated that she had verbally admonished Blauser for his conduct.

On Saturday, June 9, the comprehensive examination was conducted by Dr. Adelaide Eichman of UPMC Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Center.

Patrolman Culp obtained a copy of Dr. Eichman’s report which indicated that the infant boy has suffered multiple oral injuries, hemorrhaging in both eyes, abrasions in various stages of healing to both ears, and additional abrasions, bruising, and petechiae about the face.

Dr. Eichman’s conclusion from the exam was that the infant boy was the victim of physical child abuse. The report stated that it is Dr. Eichman’s belief that if the boy is reintroduced into the same home environment, he will be reinjured and could be killed.

Dr. Eichman conducted a follow-up examination on Tuesday, June 19, and Patrolman Culp received a copy of her post exam report. The follow-up examination included a skeletal survey which revealed fractures in various stages of healing to the infant’s left tibia as well as to several ribs.