OLD FORGE, PA — An Old Forge man wanted in connection with the severe physical abuse of a 5-month-old infant was apprehended in Tupelo, Mississippi, following a multi-state law enforcement search.
Steven Brownlee, 25, faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, and recklessly endangering another person. According to the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office, Brownlee placed a 911 call on August 28 reporting that the infant was unresponsive.
First responders initially transported the child to Geisinger Community Medical Center before transferring the baby to Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville for emergency neurosurgery. Medical examinations revealed extensive head trauma, a traumatic brain injury, a severe brain bleed, and bruising across the infant's neck and legs. A pediatric abuse specialist team determined the injuries were consistent with non-accidental physical abuse.
Investigators identified Brownlee as the sole caregiver present when the injuries occurred. Following the incident, authorities say Brownlee fled the Commonwealth to Mississippi. Members of the U.S. Marshals Service and local Mississippi law enforcement took him into custody without incident.
Brownlee remains incarcerated in Mississippi pending formal extradition proceedings to return to Lackawanna County.
