COATESVILLE PENNSYLVANIA, A 44-year-old man has been charged after police say he stabbed his 3-month-old son and threw the infant into the snow during an incident Wednesday morning.
Michael Phillips is facing charges including attempted homicide, aggravated assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury, and endangering the welfare of a child, according to a joint statement from Coatesville Police and the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.
Officers responded around 11:36 a.m. to the 2000 block of Smithbridge Drive following a report of a stabbing inside an apartment. According to authorities, the child’s mother told investigators that Phillips made statements about needing to “sacrifice the baby” before allegedly attempting to stab the infant multiple times, striking him once in the stomach.
Police said the mother then grabbed the infant and her 9-year-old son and fled the apartment. The older child ran to seek help while Phillips allegedly followed them outside. Authorities stated that he took the infant from the mother’s arms and threw the child into the snow. The mother reportedly shielded the baby from further harm until first responders arrived.
Emergency personnel transported the infant to a nearby hospital before he was flown to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Police said the child was initially listed in very serious condition and later reported to be in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit.
According to an arrest affidavit cited by local media, Phillips was recorded on police body cameras making statements referencing God’s plan while being taken into custody.
District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe commended first responders for their rapid response, stating that police and EMS personnel acted quickly to provide the infant with a chance to survive.
Phillips is scheduled to appear in court on February 20 for a preliminary hearing. The case remains under investigation.
