Charge upgraded in injury of baby

Watertown police on Wednesday upgraded to a felony the charge against a woman who last November was accused of slapping her 2-month-old baby in the face.

Cassandra N. Benway, 20, of 8732 Route 12 E, Three Mile Bay, is now charged with second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child, and awaits grand jury action. She was initially charged with third-degree assault.

Detective Sgt. Joseph R. Donoghue said police reviewed the case with the district attorney's office after medical records revealed the baby suffered internal eye and skull injuries when struck in the face on Sept. 29.

Two other arrests were made on child-abuse allegations:

B Antonio Bustion Jr., 30, of 114 Park Ave., was arrested Thursday by city police on a charge of second-degree assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was detained in the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building to await arraignment this morning in City Court. Police allege that he struck two boys, ages 9 and 6, cousins, with a belt at his residence on Tuesday. The older boy had multiple injuries on his back and thighs, police said.

Neither child is his son, police said.

Police and the child protective services unit of the Jefferson County Department of Social Services investigated after the state's child abuse hotline received a tip, Sgt. Donoghue said.

Matthew E. Thomas, 25, of 1000 W. Grove St., Apt. 803, Dexter, was charged Tuesday by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department with endangering the welfare of a child. He is accused of spanking a 4-year-old girl on her unclothed buttocks, according to the sheriff's office.