Centralia man charged with causing injuries to four month old boy

A 19-year-old Centralia man faces three charges in Marion County Court in connection with injuries caused to a four month old boy on January 11th.

Marvin Myers of US 51 was charged with aggravated battery to a child under 13, domestic battery, and endangering the life of a child.

All the charges claimed Myers squeezed the head of the 4-month old hard enough to leave hand prints and bruising on the face.

Centralia Police say the injuries were discovered by the mother when she went to a home in the 700 block of North Sycamore Street to pick up the boy from Myers. The boy was initially taken to SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon and later transferred to Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis. The hospital staff initially alerted Mt. Vernon Police who later learned the incident had occurred in Centralia.

When questioned about the incident, Centralia Police say Myers told them the injuries occurred when he rolled over in bed and accidentally struck the boy with his elbow.

Prosecutors tried to hold Myers without bond, but Judge Mark Stedelin ordered a pre-trial release with conditions until his next court hearing on February 14th.