Uncle Charged With Throwing Baby on Driveway

A Utah man has been charged in Carroll County in a series of assaults, including one against his 22-month-old niece whom police say was thrown down on a driveway New Year's Day.

Stephen Morningstar, 34, of Orem, Utah, faces charges of attempted murder, assault and reckless endangerment.

According to the sheriff's department, at approximately 6:40 p.m. Jan. 1, sheriff’s deputies responded to calls reporting a domestic assault at a home in the 1800 block of Uniontown Road outside of Westminster.

Police say Morningstar, who was visiting the family following the recent death of his mother, became agitated, fled the home and returned a short time later.

He removed his 22-month-old niece and once outside, threw the infant onto the asphalt driveway in front of the home, police said.

The news release reports that Morningstar struck his father in the head and again fled the residence. Deputies apprehended Morningstar a short distance from the home, according to the release.

Morningstar was held on $100,000 bail following the weekend altercation at his father’s Uniontown home.   

Morningstar’s father was treated and released from Carroll Hospital Center for a laceration to his head. The toddler was taken to the John’s Hopkins Children’s Center where she is being treated for a fractured skull.  Her condition has been upgraded from critical, and she is expected to make a full recovery. 

Morningstar was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center under the supervision of sheriff’s deputies while receiving treatment for a broken ankle.

He was released and returned to Carroll County.