Authorities said the newborn was treated for a fractured arm and other injuries before doctors found 10 broken ribs.
MADRID, N.Y. — A northern New York father faces felony assault and child endangerment charges after his 3-week-old infant was hospitalized with multiple injuries, including a fractured arm and 10 broken ribs, according to the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
Shane Shortt was arrested Sept. 24 and charged with second-degree assault, a Class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. Authorities identified Shortt as the infant’s father. The charges are allegations, and the available reports do not establish that Shortt has been convicted of wrongdoing in connection with the child’s injuries.
The investigation began Sept. 20 after Canton-Potsdam Hospital notified the sheriff’s office about the injured infant. Authorities said the child had been brought to the hospital with a fractured arm and injuries around both eyes. The sheriff’s office’s Criminal Investigation Division subsequently investigated the circumstances surrounding the injuries.
The infant was transferred from Canton-Potsdam Hospital to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse for additional treatment. Medical personnel there discovered that the child also had 10 broken ribs, according to the sheriff’s office. Publicly available reports did not provide further details about the infant’s medical condition or prognosis.
Authorities have not publicly detailed how or when the child’s injuries occurred in the reports reviewed. They also have not released a detailed account explaining the evidence investigators relied on before arresting Shortt. No motive or other explanation for the injuries was included in the available sheriff’s office information cited by news organizations.
Shortt was arraigned in Hermon Town Court before Judge Chris Velez. Following the arraignment, he was released under the supervision of probation, according to the sheriff’s office. A no-contact order of protection was issued on behalf of the infant, preventing contact while the criminal case proceeds.
The allegations involve two separate criminal charges. Authorities described the second-degree assault count as a Class D felony and the child endangerment count as a misdemeanor. The charges remain accusations unless established through the court process.
The infant’s identity was not released in the reports reviewed, consistent with protecting the privacy of a very young child in an abuse investigation. Authorities also had not publicly released additional information about the child’s family or where the infant would receive care after hospitalization.
The case remained pending following Shortt’s arraignment and release under probation supervision. The no-contact order remained the principal publicly reported restriction involving the child, while authorities had not announced additional charges or released further details about the investigation in the latest coverage reviewed.
Author note: Last updated September 29, 2026.