Dec 16, 2006 By Josh Krysak 2 min read

An arrest warrant has been issued for a 30-year-old Dawson man after police allege he assaulted a West Virginia man and a 6-month-old baby with a baseball bat early Tuesday in Dawson Borough. State police said William Cain of Howell Street is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, endangering another person, criminal mischief, destruction of property, harassment and disorderly conduct for his alleged role in the beating.

According to state police trooper Charles A. Miller, Thomas Watson of Berlington, W.Va., and the unidentified 6-month-old boy of Dawson were sitting in the back of a car driven by Denise Marsh of Phillippi, W.Va., on Howell Street around 2 a.m. when the attack occurred.

Miller said Cain, along with an unidentified man, both brandishing baseball bats, approached the car and smashed out both side rear windows with baseball bats and then began to beat Watson.

It was unclear from police reports whether the car was parked at the time of the incident and if Marsh was in the vehicle when the attack occurred.

Miller said Watson shielded the infant with his body to try and protect him from the blows that continued to rain on the car and Watson.

After continuing to beat Watson, both men stopped and fled in an unknown direction on foot, police said.

Miller said Watson suffered “substantial” injuries to the face. The infant suffered multiple cuts to the ear and forehead as a result of Tuesday’s attack.

According to state police Cpl. Brian Barnhart, the other suspect remains unidentified.

Magisterial District Judge Dwight Shaner issued the warrant for Cain.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Cain or information about the incident is asked to call the state police at 724-929-6262.