You step into a story that matters because a child’s safety was shattered while in someone else’s care. Reports show the baby suffered a skull injury that medical teams described as non-accidental, and authorities moved quickly to investigate and press charges. You should know the basic facts up front: the infant was hospitalized with severe head trauma and the caregiver now faces criminal charges.
This post will walk through what happened, how first responders and hospitals reacted, and what legal steps followed, while explaining the broader impact on the family and community. Expect clear, verified details and an examination of how such cases are handled so you can understand both the immediate events and the consequences that follow.
Incident Overview and Immediate Response
A baby under a caregiver’s supervision arrived at a hospital with serious head trauma. Medical staff quickly identified injuries that prompted a criminal investigation and emergency interventions.
Details of the Skull Injury
Doctors diagnosed a skull fracture and signs of internal head trauma after imaging. The infant showed skull depression and possible linear fractures on CT scans, with radiology noting concern for intracranial bleeding consistent with blunt-force impact.
Medical notes documented swelling and a change in consciousness that led clinicians to order neurosurgical consultation. Nurses monitored vital signs and pupils closely while staff prepared for possible transfer to a pediatric trauma center.
The presence of retinal hemorrhage was assessed to evaluate abusive head trauma. Those findings, combined with the skull fracture and brain bleeding, shaped both the treatment plan and the hospital’s obligation to notify child protective services.
Initial Discovery and Medical Assessment
The caregiver reportedly brought the child for treatment after noticing lethargy and vomiting. Emergency clinicians recorded a timeline of symptoms and matched them against physical findings during the primary survey.
Physicians completed a full trauma workup: CT imaging, repeated neurological exams, and lab tests to rule out bleeding disorders. Pediatric specialists documented injuries in detail and created a medical record that would be used by investigators.
Hospital staff also interviewed the caregiver and family members for an account of events. Statements were logged and shared with child welfare investigators to determine whether the injury could be accidental or nonaccidental.
Law Enforcement and Emergency Response
Local police responded after the hospital filed a mandatory report about suspected abuse. The Franklin Township Police Department opened an investigation and coordinated with the Somerset County prosecutor’s office and its special victims unit where applicable.
Officers secured the scene, interviewed witnesses, and collected physical evidence and medical release forms. Investigators worked with child protective services and the hospital’s child abuse pediatrician to compare medical findings with caregiver statements.
Authorities placed the child in protective custody while prosecutors reviewed charges against the caregiver. The collaborative response prioritized the child’s immediate medical needs and preservation of evidence for potential criminal prosecution.
Legal Actions, Background, and Community Impact
The case involves a woman charged after a baby suffered skull fractures and brain bleeding while under her care. Authorities say the child remains hospitalized and investigators have identified prior arrests and substance issues in the mother’s record.
Charges Against the Mother
Authorities arrested Pamela Janiszak and charged her with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child after police found a five-month-old with multiple skull fractures and brain bleeds in a hotel room. The charge carries serious criminal exposure in New Jersey and can result in significant prison time if convicted. Janiszak was taken into custody in Toms River and held at Somerset County Jail pending court proceedings. Prosecutors allege the injuries resulted from blunt force trauma and investigators treat the incident as criminal child endangerment rather than an accidental injury.
Criminal Background and Previous Incidents
Public records and reporting show Janiszak has prior arrests, including heroin possession and resisting arrest that led to several months in jail and a sentence of five years probation. She also faced earlier charges tied to credit card theft that were later dismissed in a plea deal. Those prior incidents form part of the prosecutor’s context when assessing risk and custody issues. The history of substance-related arrests and probation will likely shape pretrial detention decisions and potential plea negotiations in Somerset County courts.
Community and Agency Involvement
Local police and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office are coordinating the criminal investigation and outreach to identify witnesses or additional evidence. Officials urged anyone with information to contact the prosecutor’s special victims unit or Franklin Township police; community tips may influence charging decisions. Child protective services and hospital social workers typically get involved to ensure the infant’s safety and to evaluate family members for possible guardianship. Regional interest in similar cases across states like Wisconsin, Iowa, and Ohio has increased media attention; outlets such as KCCI and others have covered related child endangerment stories, highlighting public concern about infant safety.
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