Father stabs 3-month-old son, throws him in snow at Coatesville apartment complex
Infant stabbed in Coatesville: What we know about the case
A 3-month-old boy is recovering in critical but stable condition after being stabbed in the stomach Monday morning in a Coatesville apartment complex, according to the Chester County District Attorney.
PHILADELPHIA - A Pennsylvania father accused of stabbing his infant son while in his mother's arm allegedly made comments about "having to sacrifice the baby" moments before the stabbing and throwing him into the snow, prosecutors said.
What we know:
Michael Phillips, 44, was arrested outside an apartment complex on the 2000 block of Smithbridge Street around noon Wednesday.
Investigators say the 3-month-old's mother was holding the infant when Phillips approached her with a knife and "made comments about having to sacrifice the baby."
Phillips attempted to stab the infant multiple times, according to investigators, striking him once in the abdomen. Phillips allegedly followed the woman when she left the apartment with the wounded infant and her 9-year-old son.
Featured
3-month-old boy stabbed, thrown into the snow in Coatesville; father arrested: police
Michael Phillips, 44, has been arrested after police say he stabbed his infant in Coatesville Wednesday morning.
Once outside, investigators believe Phillips grabbed the child from his mother's arms and threw him into the snow. It's believed that the mother used her body to shield the child from further harm until police arrived.
The infant was rushed to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and remains in serious condition.
Phillips is being held without bail at Chester County Prison while he awaits a preliminary hearing.
What they're saying:
Edward Rivers, a neighbor, recalled greeting Phillips earlier in the day as he walked calmly with his son.
"When I heard the words ‘stabbed’ and ‘infant’,' it was crazy to hear those words in the same sentence," said Rivers.
District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said first responders "heroically worked to give this infant a chance to survive."