COATESVILLE, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A man in Coatesville, Chester County, is facing charges after investigators said he stabbed his infant son and threw him in the snow.
Police said 44-year-old Michael Phillips stabbed the 3-month-old in the abdomen just after 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Millview Apartment Homes in Coatesville, near Regency and Smithbridge drives. Investigators said he then took the child outside and threw him into the snow.
The child was flown to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for surgery, where he is now listed in critical but stable condition.
Neighbors and those that know the family expressed their shock at the horrific crime.
"I didn't detect anything like that or anything going on with him," one neighbor told NBC10. "To me, he was the calm body in the house, keeping everything peace and calm, but I guess not."
An affidavit revealed the circumstances surrounding the stabbing. The child's mother told police she was in her bedroom with the infant when Phillips stared blankly at the child and began making comments about having to sacrifice the baby.
It was not long after that Phillips stabbed the three-month-old once and the mother fled then the house with the injured infant, according to the affidavit. Phillips then ripped the baby out of the mother's arms and threw it into the snow, per the affidavit. Eventually, the stabbed infant ended up in the arms of an arriving police officer, who rushed it to an ambulance.
According to the affidavit, Phillips also made the statement that "this was all part of God's plan," when he was being taken into custody.
Phillips was arraigned on Thursday on several charges, including attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of children. He was denied bail and remains behind bars at Chester County Prison.
Investigators have yet to rule on a motive.
