Caregiver accused of assaulting infants appears in Montgomery County court

COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. (WPVI) -- A woman charged with assaulting two infants at a Montgomery County daycare appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday morning, as one of the children remains hospitalized with serious injuries.

Catalina Baldwin, 37, was arrested on July 31 and faces multiple charges related to the alleged abuse of two babies, who were just 5 and 7 months old, under her care at the Oaks Early Learning Center in Collegeville.

Baldwin, who had worked at the center for five years and served as a lead caregiver in the infant room, was led into district court in shackles.

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Inside, prosecutors presented evidence, including testimony from an Upper Providence police detective and a physician from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

According to the criminal complaint, police were called to the daycare on July 9 after a 7-month-old girl was found unresponsive.

Doctors discovered extensive injuries and had to remove part of the child's skull to relieve pressure. Medical experts concluded the injuries were caused by traumatic force.

Investigators later searched Baldwin's phone and reportedly found a deleted message referring to the child as a "nightmare," along with an internet search for "shaken baby syndrome."

Authorities also linked Baldwin to a separate incident in late May involving a 5-month-old girl who suffered a traumatic injury to her mouth. Doctors described the injury as "highly concerning" and "not accidental."

When approached for comment, representatives from the Oaks Early Learning Center declined to speak about the court proceedings.

Baldwin has since posted bail and will remain under electronic monitoring. She is prohibited from being around children without supervision. Her next court appearance is scheduled for October.