The Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police have charged John Curtis Anderson, Jr., with criminal homicide and endangering the welfare of a child.  These charges relate to the June 12, 2019 death of the defendant’s one-year old son, Josiah, who died at the Harrisburg Hospital after medical personnel could not revive him.  The child was transported to the hospital after emergency personnel responded to the defendant’s home in the 600 block of Geary Street in the City of Harrisburg after the father reported that he had been sleeping in the same bed with the baby.  The child was “cold, unconscious, and not breathing.” 

The accused gave statements to the police in which he admitted that the child was in his exclusive custody at the time of the fatal event.  He gave three inconsistent versions of events regarding how his son came to be unconscious and near death.

Dr. Wayne K. Ross, a board-certified forensic pathologist, performed an autopsy.  Dr. Ross observed numerous injuries to Josiah.  Dr. Ross noted petechial hemorrhages to the heart, liver and lungs.  Stippled hemorrhages were observed to the posterior pleura on the left and right sides.  Hemorrhages were also noted to the thymus, diaphragm, esophagus, and the back of the head.  Five distinct bruises were identified inside the top of scalp.  Other injuries noted included a linear, fresh abrasion to the distal right nose and a red mark on the inner aspect of left lower eyelid. Nine areas of trauma noted at the autopsy were submitted for biopsy.  Dr. Ross stated to me that all areas that were submitted were deemed to have white blood cells.  Dr. Ross stated that the presence of white blood cells indicates that the injuries were sustained while Josiah was alive. 

Dr. Ross determined that the injuries were inconsistent with John Anderson, Jr.’s claims to police.  Dr. Ross determined that Josiah's hemorrhages and injuries were the result of sustained compression and found the cause of death to be complications of asphyxia.  John Anderson, Jr. is being held without bail in the Dauphin County Prison.  These are mere allegations and the defendant remains presumed innocent. Detective Paula A. Trovy is the lead investigator and Chief Deputy District Attorney Seán M. McCormack is the prosecutor on this case.