19-year-old Jeff P. Schaffer Jr. of Georgetown was arrested on numerous charges including Assault Second Degree, Reckless Endangering First Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and related offenses.
On Friday, police investigated an assault complaint in the 23000 block of Melendez Drive Milton Delaware.
A State Police investigation into an infant assault revealed that on Thursday evening, a 17-year-old Milton teenager became involved in an argument with Schaffer, her boyfriend.
Police say the initial argument appeared to be over the 17-year-old teen arriving home late from a study session.
Later the same evening, the teenage victim was asleep on their living room couch shortly after 4:00 a.m., when she heard her 5-month-old crying in another room.
The 5-month-old is the daughter of both Schaffer and the victim.
When the teenage victim went to investigate the crying she noticed Schaffer had locked the door. Schaffer and the 5-month-old victim were sleeping in the same room together.
Schaffer did not open the bedroom door for several minutes as the mother attempted to gain entry. When Schaffer finally unlocked the door, the teenage victim observed a shirt stuffed into their baby's mouth. Schaffer then removed the shirt from the 5-month-olds' mouth whose face appeared purple and grasping for air.
It is not known if the baby received medical treatment.
Police say this incident was not immediately reported to police.
Later Friday morning, the 17-year-old victim was walking to catch her bus with Schaffer following behind. Schaffer again began a confrontation with his girlfriend. Schaffer next broke apart a watch belonging to the victim and threw it at the back of her neck as she walked to the bus stop. The victim sustained minor injuries during this altercation and did not receive medical treatment.
The 17-year-old victim reported several other incidents of abuse which occurred prior to this investigation involving Schaffer.
Schaffer was arraigned for several incidents of assault, reckless endangering, endangering the welfare of a child and criminal mischief. He is currently being held in Sussex Correctional Institute on $11,700 secured bond.
