Convicted sex offender faces new charge
JERSEY SHORE Convicted child sex offender Willie Merritt, 33, has been charged by the Tiadaghton Valley Regional police with failure to register his new address with the state police. Although he carried an official Northumberland address, he had been staying on-and-off at 427 S. Main St. in Jersey Shore from at least late December to late February, police said.
Police said Merritt also failed to appear on Feb. 23 for sentencing in another criminal case, prompting Lycoming County court officials to file a bench warrant for his arrest. Arraigned before District Judge Jerry Lepley, Merritt is jailed in lieu of $20,000 bail.
Woman charged with assaulting child
Arriving on the scene of child-abuse case on March 9, city Patrolman Brandon Wheeler immediately saw the injuries on the little girl’s face.
“She had a bloody nose and there also was swollen spot on the right side of her head,” the officer said in an affidavit.
Katina Blackwell, 37, of 627 Fourth Ave., has been charged with numerous offenses for punching the girl multiple times in the face and hitting her with hairbrush, Blackwell alleged.
A county Children and Youth caseworker responded and also interviewed the victim, whose injuries were photographed. “Older bruises were discovered all the way up her arms,” the officer said.