Monessen couple jailed in abuse of 5-year-old
Monessen police arrested a man and woman this week in connection with the abuse of a 5-year-old boy, including forcing the child to eat his own feces.
Charles W. Smitley V, 29, and Colleen Cassidy, 36, both of Monessen, each face felony charges of endangering the welfare of children, unlawful restraint, and a misdemeanor charge of simple assault.
According to the criminal complaint, the child is Smitley’s son. Court records indicate that Smitley had surrendered custody to his father.
Charging documents state that on April 22 the child’s grandfather took the toddler to WVU Uniontown hospital after noticing bruises on his legs and backside. The grandfather told police that when he took custody of the youth, his clothes were dirty and it appeared he had not been recently bathed.
The child was transported to WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., where medical personnel found that he appeared to be emaciated, court records state.
The child told forensic investigators that Smitley and Cassidy, Smitley’s girlfriend, used a paddle to spank him. Charging documents state that Smitley and Cassidy made the child eat his own feces on multiple occasions, and that he had to sleep on the floor of the basement bathroom.
The child told investigators he would sometimes go days without eating any food, the complaint states.
The alleged abuse took place at Smitley and Cassidy’s home in the 600 block of Delaware Avenue, according to the complaint.
Cassidy’s 11-year-old son corroborated that Smitley and Cassidy made the child sleep in the basement bathroom. Court paperwork states he also told an investigator that on more than one occasion, he found the child in a closet with his hands taped together with duct tape.
Cassidy’s son denied that he faced similar treatment.
Smitley and Cassidy were arraigned Monday morning before District Judge Wayne Vlasic. Vlasic sent Smitley to the Westmoreland County jail on $250,000 bond. Cassidy was jailed on a $100,000 bond.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. Aug. 22.