A Chester County man charged with beating a woman and her baby in a Lancaster Township home will have his case proceed to county court following a preliminary hearing.
Judge Mary Sponaugle ruled March 17 that the case of Dajzhon Williams-Toney, of Coatesville, could proceed to the Court of Common Pleas on one count of endangering the welfare of children, two counts of simple assault and two counts of harassment.
Williams-Toney, 24, is accused of repeatedly hitting and shoving the woman as she held the baby, who was also struck, while inside a residence in the 600 block of Wyncroft Lane the morning of Dec. 20.
An officer who responded to the scene noticed two large contusions on the baby’s forehead.
The victim told police Williams-Toney had been arguing with her when, sensing the situation was becoming heated, she picked up the baby and attempted to retreat into a bedroom. Williams-Toney blocked the victim’s path and pushed her as she held the baby, she said, but she was able to regain her balance and run away as Williams-Toney began throwing punches, landing multiple blows on the baby’s head and the back of the victim’s neck.
Police arrested Williams-Toney without incident shortly after 11:30 a.m.
Williams-Toney is currently free on $25,000 unsecured bail.
Lancaster Township Police Officer Matthew MacNeal filed the charges.
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Ponessa will prosecute the case.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.