A western Pennsylvania couple has been jailed after police said the woman severely abused the man's 2-year-old daughter, telling officers the victim"was a horrible child to deal with, with an annoying scream."
Alyce Aronckes, 28, and Phillip Clark, 30, of Blawnox, were charged late Tuesday based on an investigation that began when Aronckes took the girl to a hospital on Jan. 21 because the little girl had mucus coming from her nose and mouth and trouble with her balance.
Doctors discovered "extensive bruising" on the child, dried blood in her ears and chunks of the girl's hair that had been torn out, Allegheny County police said in a criminal complaint.
The girl was discovered to have a potentially fatal ear infection because of the alleged abuse, which required surgery, police said.
Aronckes told police she didn't abuse the girl, but acknowledged pulling out a clump of hair while giving the girl a bath and to restraining the girl because she has behavioral issues.
Clark faces child endangerment charges for not reporting his suspicions that Aronckes had abused the girl in recent weeks.
The couple lived to together, each with two young children from previous relationships.
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Aronckes is charged with aggravated assault and child endangerment for the alleged abuse.
Online court records don't list attorneys for the couple.
They remained jailed Wednesday unable to post bond and face a preliminary hearing Feb. 4.
