A Lancaster father was sent to state prison Thursday for beating his 11-day-old daughter last year in a city home.
Keith W. Dorsey, 23, pleaded guilty Thursday to felony aggravated assault of a child and misdemeanor child endangerment regarding the Nov. 30, 2015, beating inside an East End Avenue apartment.
Dorsey will serve 1½ to 3 years in prison, followed by 4 years of probation, in accordance with the plea agreement arranged by Assistant District Attorney Christopher Sarno.
Lancaster County Judge Howard Knisely ordered the sentence, which includes required anger management and parenting classes.
On Nov. 30, doctors noticed bruising on the infant girl’s torso and lip. They reported to Lancaster city police that the injuries weren’t caused accidentally, but likely from abuse.
The child’s mother told police she was away and Dorsey was alone with the child when the abuse happened on Nov. 19. The mother told police she noticed the injuries when she returned.
Dorsey admitted to striking the girl when she was crying.
The child recovered and didn’t sustain any permanent injuries, according to Sarno. She is in the custody of her mother.
Lancaster city police Detective Gareth Lowe filed charges.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright