Youth denies assaulting infant

3/6/2001

A 16-year-old Point Place youth charged in an apparent shaken baby case denied the allegations against him yesterday through his attorney during a detention hearing in Lucas County Juvenile Court.

Roy Cerveny, 16, of 3513 146th St., did not appear before Judge James A. Ray on the charge of delinquency in connection with felonious assault. His attorney, Marty Dow, entered the denial, which is similar to a not-guilty plea.

Judge Ray ordered young Cerveny held in the Child Study Institute until a hearing March 15.

Young Cerveny turned himself into Toledo police Saturday. Detectives are investigating injuries to the youth's 4-month-old nephew, whom he was babysitting Feb. 27.

The infant was listed in serious condition last night in the pediatric intensive care unit in Mercy Children's Hospital, which is located inside St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.

Young Cerveny was watching the infant and the infant's 2-year-old sister while their parents and another child were away.

The infant apparently was alert and responsive before his parents left. When they returned, they found their son was having difficulty breathing and was acting strangely.

They thought he might be suffering from a prior medical condition and called for help. At the hospital, doctors found the infant had head injuries and was taken to surgery, police said. The injuries appeared to be consistent with those of shaken baby syndrome, authorities said.

Young Cerveny did not make a statement when he and his mother met with police Saturday, Detective Bill Seymour said.

Denise Cubbon, assistant county prosecutor, said she doesn't have enough information on the case yet to determine whether she will file a motion to have young Cerveny tried as an adult in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Connie Eason, a victim's advocate, said she is trying to contact the infant's parents to provide them with counseling or other support services.

Young Cerveny was found guilty of delinquency in connection with domestic violence in January, 2000.