Couple charged in tot's death

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TOWSON (Map, News) - Police in Baltimore County have arrested a Towson couple and charged them with abuse in the death of their two-year-old son.

According to a police report, Susan Griffin, 37, and John Griffin, 38, both of the 300 block of Old Trail Road, were taken into custody after the child, Andrew, died Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, where his father had taken him to the emergency room, according to a police report. The boy would have turned three in February.

Hospital officials reported that upon arrival, the boy — who weighed approximately 14 pounds — was cold to the touch and unresponsive. The report further stated the child had several cuts and bruises about his head and had a blackened right eye with possible hemorrhaging. Other cuts and bruises covered his body.

Upon questioning by police who were summoned to the hospital, John Griffin said he and his wife had administered CPR  for about 20 minutes after noticing Andrew was unconscious.

However, the CPR was unsuccessful and that the couple then delayed bringing the child to the hospital while they discussed caring for their other four children, the father said.

The father also told police that the child’s injuries occurred a few days earlier after falling into the family Christmas tree, as well as several months ago when he and his mother fell as she carried him down the stairs.

The father added that the child’s weight was the result of him not being able to hold down food after suffering a flu-like illness this past summer. According to the police report, the victim’s spine, ribs, and pelvic bones were all clearly defined during an examination at the hospital.

John Griffin said that he child was not taken in for medical care and that the family’s pediatrician wasn’t contacted because of a prior billing issue.

Police said in a statement that due to the complexities of the child’s injuries, a specific cause of death could not be determined until tests could be completed by the medical examiner.

Bail for John Griffin has been set at $1.5 million, while bail for Susan Griffin was set at $1 million. Both remained held at the Baltimore County Detention Center Thursday afternoon.

The couple’s other children, who range in ages from one to 10, have been placed in custody of Child Protective Services. 

drowley@baltimoreexaminer.com

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