Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against a Pennsylvania State Trooper for causing head trauma to an infant, and for a pattern of abuse and endangerment against the infant and two other children.
Christopher S. Young, 35, of Lancaster County, was previously charged with intimidating a witness in the child abuse investigation.
On Tuesday, the Office of Attorney General charged Young with aggravated assault, simple assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and reckless endangering another person, after a joint investigation with the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards.
Young was arraigned and bail was set at $50,000.
“No one is above the law. The alleged actions by the defendant are deeply disturbing, and my office intends to hold him fully accountable,” Attorney General Sunday said. “When a sworn officer violates their oath it is a stain on all officers who selflessly and professionally protect their communities.”
According to Pennsylvania State Police, Young is currently suspended without pay.
According to the presentment, the child was in Young’s care in September 2023 when the injury happened. The victim required medical intervention, hospital admission, and physical therapy.
The investigation also revealed a pattern of abuse by Young, before and after this incident, to two other children, including digging his chin into one of the victim’s heads multiple times, causing a visible injury. Additionally, a witness alleged that Young allowed firearms to be accessible to the children and allowed a child to hold a firearm.
Young’s previous charges of felony intimidation of a witness and misdemeanor counts of stalking and loitering or prowling at night relates to this child abuse case where Young repeatedly called and text messaged the potential witness. Late in the night of Feb. 24, police intercepted Young, who was armed with a gun and knife, in a wooded area behind the witness’ house in Schuylkill County.
Young, who enlisted in 2017, was assigned to the Patrol Unit in Troop L, Hamburg.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Lauren Eichelberger. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.