Woman Charged with Severely Injuring Baby

A South Grafton woman faces charges of severely injuring a baby in her care.

April Grandinetti, 38, of 22 Maple Ave., South Grafton, was indicted by the Worcester County Grand Jury on charges of assault and battery causing serious bodily injury and assault and battery on a child with substantial injury.

The baby’s injuries reportedly included bleeding around the brain and eye and a detached retina, said Timothy Connolly, spokesman for Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

The charges stem from an incident Jan. 13, when Grandinetti flagged down a Northbridge police officer outside her home day care center at 22 Maple Ave., Connolly said.

She was walking down the road, holding a baby in her arms, Connolly said. Her day care center is located near the Northbridge town line.

She told the officer she was caring for the baby when she observed him in his bassinet having difficulty breathing and foaming bubbles around his mouth, Connolly said.

The officer observed the baby was lethargic and was having difficulty breathing, Connolly said.

The child was taken to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, where staff members of the Child Protection Program assessed his injuries and determined they were inflicted and not accidental, Connolly said.

Connolly would not release any further information on the baby’s current condition.

Grandinetti surrendered her state-issued day care license during the investigation, Connolly said.

She remains free pending the April 27 arraignment.

Officers from the and Northbridge police departments assisted in the investigation, Connolly said.