Authorities say the 3-week-old infant was hospitalized with a fractured arm, eye injuries and 10 broken ribs.
MADRID, N.Y. — A northern New York father has been charged with assault and endangering the welfare of a child after his 3-week-old infant was hospitalized with multiple serious injuries, including a fractured arm and 10 broken ribs, according to the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
Shane Shortt of Madrid was arrested Sept. 24 following an investigation that began four days earlier, authorities said. He was charged with second-degree assault, a Class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. The charges are allegations, and the available reports do not indicate that Shortt has entered a plea.
The investigation began Sept. 20 after Canton-Potsdam Hospital contacted the sheriff’s office about the injured infant, according to authorities. The child had been brought to the hospital with a fractured arm and hematomas in both eyes. Officials have not publicly released the infant’s identity, and news reports based on the sheriff’s account identify Shortt as the child’s father.
The infant was later transferred to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse for additional treatment. Medical personnel there found that the child also had 10 broken ribs, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities have not publicly released further information about the infant’s current medical condition.
The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division handled the investigation and arrested Shortt. Publicly available reports do not provide a detailed account of how investigators believe each injury occurred or specify when the injuries were sustained. Authorities also have not released a detailed timeline beyond the hospital complaint, subsequent investigation and arrest.
Shortt was arraigned before Judge Chris Velez in Hermon Town Court. He was released under the supervision of probation following the arraignment, according to the sheriff’s office. A no-contact order of protection was issued on behalf of the infant, barring Shortt from contact with the child while the criminal case proceeds.
Second-degree assault is classified as a felony under New York law, while the endangering charge filed against Shortt is a misdemeanor. The filing of criminal charges does not establish guilt, and prosecutors would have to prove the allegations through the court process if the case proceeds to trial.
The sheriff’s office has not publicly disclosed additional circumstances surrounding the case, including whether other people were present when the infant was injured. The available reports also do not identify an attorney representing Shortt or provide a date for his next court appearance.
The case remains pending following Shortt’s arraignment. Authorities have released no further details about the infant’s condition or the next scheduled court proceeding.
Author note: Last updated September 29, 2026.