A Bethany resident accused of causing a brain injury to a toddler appeared in County Court today, but his case was continued to another date because his newly hired attorney was unable to make an appearance this morning.
Anthony P. Dibble, 25, was arraigned last week on a sealed indictment charging reckless assault of a child and assault in the second degree.
In an interview following Dibble's appearance, Assistant District Attorney Will Zickl said the toddler, a 2-year-old female, suffered a very serious brain injury and underwent surgery to relieve swelling in her brain.
"Fortunately, she is recovering at this point," Zickl said.
Asked for a prognosis, Zickle said, "I don't know the prognosis and I don't even know if the medical professionals would predict that because neurological injuries are very tricky, especially predicting the future."
Dibble is the child's biological father, Zickl said; however, the child lives with her mother, who is not a Genesee County resident.
The parents are not married, Zickl said.
By mutual agreement, the toddler was staying with Dibble on an overnight visit in August.
The injured child was driven to UMMC by Dibble and from there was taken by Mercy Flight to Women & Children's Hospital in Buffalo, where the surgery was performed.
Zickl declined to discuss the circumstances the prosecution believes led to the girl's injuries.
The indictment accuses Dibble of causing a serious physical injury to the brain of a child less than 5 years old by shaking the child or slamming or throwing the child so as to impact the child's head on a hard surface or object.
He is also accused of intending to cause physical injury to a person under 7 years of age and caused such an injury by biting the person.
Buffalo attorney Dominic Saraceno has apparently been retained to represent Dibble. Because of a prior commitment, he couldn't be in court today on relatively short notice, but did contact the office of Judge Robert C. Noonan and ask that the case be continued to a later date.
Dibble is due in court again at 10:45 a.m., Jan. 22.
