A Centralia man faces felony charges after he was accused of slapping an 11-month-old child, enough to cause “significant bruising,” according to a doctor’s hospital evaluation.
Jesse W. Lincecum, 36, of Centralia, was charged with one count of second-degree assault of a child, domestic violence. If convicted, he could serve up to 10 years in prison and owe $20,000 in fines for the Class B felony.
Lincecum made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday.
The victim is the child of Lincecum’s girlfriend.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office, Lincecum and his girlfriend had taken the infant to Providence St. Peter Hospital sometime during the night of Oct. 19 or early hours of Oct. 20.
At the hospital, a doctor observed “significant bruising to the side of (the child’s) face and behind his ears, which are consistent with being hit or slapped,” the affidavit stated.
According to the affidavit, the doctor noted that “the significant bruising on (the child’s) face appeared random, but also fresh, and indicative of intentional injury, not accidental.”
The doctor further described the bruising as linear and “indicative of an open-handed slap,” adding that it did not appear to be from a one-time occurrence.
“He also has additional bruising on the right side of his face, on his back, and on his leg,” the affidavit stated.
Centralia police received notice of the possible assault. They arrived at the hospital and spoke to Lincecum and the child’s mother and learned that Lincecum had been watching the child while the mother was out.
According to the affidavit, Lincecum “appeared very nervous” when speaking with police and admitted to hitting the child “one time with his right hand across the face.”
During the preliminary hearing, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello acknowledged Lincecum’s lack of criminal history, but asked for a bail amount of $25,000 cash or surety based on the allegations, along with a pretrial no-contact order protecting the victim in the case.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller emphasized Lincecum’s record that included no felony convictions or failures to appear in court, as well as the people present in the courtroom supporting the defendant. Tiller also noted Lincecum’s steady years of employment.
Judge Paul Strophy indicated that he wasn’t concerned about Lincecum returning to court, but did believe the nature of the alleged offense gave concern for community safety, and that some bail amount would help make sure Lincecum followed the conditions of release.
The judge set bail at $15,000 cash or bond, and entered a domestic violence protection order on behalf of the victim. He also ordered Lincecum to not have contact with minor children, and to surrender any firearms in his possession. As a result, Lincecum must vacate any residence he currently shares with the victim while the case is pending.
An arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 23. Don Blair has been assigned to represent Lincecum.
