SALYERSVILLE – A Magoffin County man is in jail after allegedly pushing a baby’s face into a bed.
On the night of July 2, Salyersville Police Department Officer D. Salyers was dispatched to a 911 call on East Maple Street in Salyersville regarding a reported domestic dispute involving a baby.
When police arrived, Magoffin County Sheriff Department Deputies Donavon Watson and Eugene Salyer took Jeremy Garner, 22, of Salyersville, to the side for questioning, at which time Garner reportedly told police he was trying to make the baby be quiet by pushing the baby’s face down into the bed and pushed his thumb into the baby’s throat, stating he did not know how to be a parent, according to the arrest citation.
Another man at the home showed law enforcement a video from the alleged incident, with Officer Salyers describing the video as follows: “I observed in this video that Mr. Garner capped his hand over the baby’s face/mouth, cutting off the baby’s air supply, and shoved his head down into the bed for at least six seconds, then the video cut off.”
The Division of Protection and Permanency (DPP) was called to the scene, with Garner taken into custody and charged with first-degree strangulation and endangering the welfare of a minor. At press time, he remains at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, and in court on Monday, July 8, the case was bound over to the grand jury.
Jasmine Coontz, 24, of Salyersville, was also arrested at the same time and charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and fourth-degree assault, no visible injury, after allegedly slapping another woman while holding a baby, according to her arrest citation.
Both Coontz and the woman confirmed the slap did occur, though the victim told police she did not want to press charges.
Police reported the incident to DPP for that, as well, with DPP deciding to give temporary custody of the baby to other family members.
In district court on Monday, Coontz pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 12 months, probated for two years with lawful behavior and as long as she cooperates with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in their investigation. She was released from jail the same day as the court hearing.
Editor’s Note: The indictment or charge of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
