Altoona, Pennsylvania – A 34-year-old man in central Pennsylvania has been arrested and charged with assaulting an 18-month-old child and killing a small dog. Bryan Morales Gracia is accused of throwing the child with such force that he landed on top of the family’s Chihuahua, resulting in the animal’s death.
The Altoona Police Department responded to a call at the Evergreen Manors apartment complex on Saturday, May 25. A witness had observed Gracia physically abusing the toddler through a window in the apartment. According to the police, Gracia was repeatedly striking the child before throwing them into a Pack-n-Play. The witness promptly contacted the authorities.
First responders arrived at the scene and found the toddler with visible marks of injury on their cheeks, back, and forehead. Emergency medical services transported the child to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Altoona for medical treatment. Inside the apartment, the police discovered a dead Chihuahua. It was determined that the child and the dog were often put together in the Pack-n-Play. During the brutal incident, the child was thrown into the playpen with such force that it fatally injured the Chihuahua.
According to a report by the Altoona Mirror, a security guard witnessed Gracia and the child’s mother coming outside after the attack. The baby could be heard crying from inside the house, while Gracia held the deceased Chihuahua in his arms. When interviewed by the police, Gracia claimed that he struck the child because they were hitting the dog. He further explained that he must have accidentally placed the toddler on top of the dog when putting them in the Pack-n-Play, as it was a regular practice.
Gracia has been taken into custody and is facing charges of aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and other crimes. He is currently held at Blair County Prison on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on July 5.
This disturbing case of alleged child abuse and animal cruelty has shocked the community and raised concerns regarding the welfare of children and pets. The authorities are working to ensure justice is served in this tragic incident.