A former Parsonsfield man was arrested Wednesday evening in connection with an assault that left an 18-month-old boy from Parsonsfield with significant head trauma and internal injuries.
Barren Foster Tracey, 33, is charged with aggravated assault, a Class B felony. He is currently being held at York County Jail. His bail has been set at $25,000 cash, Sheriff William King Jr. said Wednesday night in a news release.
If convicted, Tracey faces up to 10 years in prison, King said.
The investigation that led to Tracey’s arrest began on Friday of last week, when the York County Sheriff’s Office received information from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services that an 18-month-old boy from Parsonsfield was admitted to the hospital with significant head trauma and internal injuries, King said.
DHHS employees suspected child abuse and contacted the sheriff’s office, he said.
Parsonsfield contract Deputy Darren Cyr and detectives from the York County Sheriff’s Office determined that the child was in the care of Tracey, his uncle, when the injuries occurred.
The toddler spent three days recovering in the Barbara Bush Wing at Maine Medical Center in Portland. He is now in the care of foster parents, the sheriff said.
After an investigation and an examination of the injuries, Deputy Cyr obtained a warrant for Tracey’s arrest.
Tracey lists no permanent address, but formerly lived at the Pinewood Apartments on Howe Street in Parsonsfield. He is schedule to make a court appearance via video on Friday.