A Chemung County Grand Jury has indicted a Horseheads man accused of killing a three-year-old child and injuring another.
According to prosecutors, 27-year-old Christopher Woods faces charges including second-degree murder, manslaughter, assault, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
The indictment alleges Woods repeatedly slammed the three-year-old boy to the floor, causing severe head and brain injuries, and struck him with wooden sticks while using wrestling-like moves. He’s also accused of poking and jabbing a two-year-old child with sticks.
New York State Police say Woods brought both children to a hospital on September 15, where the three-year-old was found unresponsive and later died despite lifesaving efforts. Investigators determined the children’s injuries were consistent with abuse and connected them to Woods.
Woods was taken into custody following the investigation.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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