"Infant John" FALGIANI - 6 Weeks - Berwind (VA border) WV

The small community of Berwind is up in arms this week following a
shocking discovery. A six week old baby boy suffered a fractured skull
Sunday afternoon in the area of Conservation Road. According to police, the initial 9-1-1 call came from inside the house
from the child’s mother. Phillip Falgiani, 22, has been arrested and
charged as a result with unlawful wounding of a child, child abuse and
neglect resulting in serious bodily injury, domestic assault, and
domestic battery. Syvelster Keller lives near the home where the incident occurred.
According to Keller, he knows several of the family members and heard
about the injuries Tuesday night. “It’s hard to believe, even harder to understand,” said Keller, as he played cards with a neighbor in his front yard. Time moves slowly in the small town of Berwind, located in McDowell
County. Everyone seems to know one another, which is why Keller says
it’s even more difficult to understand. He says that Falgiani knew
better, but adds that he’s extremely upset and angry at him due to what
he’s heard. “Somebody did something they were never supposed to do, and they should
be punished for it,” said Keller. “I’m not the law, but I’m part of the
community and this community won’t stand for this.” State Troopers say that statement rings true to them as well. They’ve
been working around the clock since this incident occurred. According
to Trooper First Class Bryan Gerritson, every single member of the Welch
detachment has touched this case in some way to date. “It’s important for all of us to get this solved and squared away and
put the people in prison that did this to a small child,” said Trooper
Gerritson. “A child can’t defend himself. He’s such a small child and
somebody has to protect him.” Since the child’s initial visit to Welch Community hospital Sunday
afternoon, he’s been airlifted to CAMC’s Women’s and Children’s
Hospital. Doctors have since revealed that the young boy also has
fractured legs, and a recovery fracture in his ribs. Additional
bruising and swelling has led to multiple seizures since the incident,
causing police to work that much harder. “He’s but six weeks old, brand new to the world,” said Gerritson, “it’s
just really important for us to find out how these injuries occurred.”
While Falgiani is behind bars on charges from the skull fracture, the
other injuries could create new charges. At this time it’s unknown
whether that investigation will steer police towards Falgiani, or
perhaps to the mother. Both have been interview by police, but due to
the nature of this case little information can be revealed on what has
been learned to date. “These cases are almost like investigating a homicide,” said Gerritson.
“You have a victim, but they can’t tell you what happened.” At this time Child Protective Services have taken custody of the child,
though it remains hospitalized. As for community members, they’re left
asking how something so cruel could happen in a community where everyone
has each other’s back. “These people were not dumb people,” said Syvelster Keller. “They
aren’t. They knew the responsibility of taking care of that baby.” Bond has been set for Falgiani at 30-thousand dollars. ORIGINAL STORY A McDowell County father is behind bars for allegedly abusing his 6-week-old son. Phillip Brandon Falgiani, 22, of the War area, was arrested Tuesday. West Virginia State Police troopers in Welch said Falgiani's son
was brought in to Welch Community Hospital Sunday with a fractured
skull, two fractured legs and a healing rib fracture. The infant was then flown to Charleston Area Medical Center Women
and Children's Hospital, where troopers said he continues to be treated
for multiple seizures caused by head trauma. Falgiani was charged with child abuse and neglect resulting in
serious bodily injury, unlawful wounding, domestic assault and domestic
battery. He is being held at the Welch Holding Facility in lieu of $20,000 bond. The infant has been placed in the custody of the State with Child Protective Services.

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