Johnstown family disputes allegation that dad assaulted newborn

A father from Johnstown is facing a felony charge, after police say he severely injured his newborn baby. However, the man’s family is telling a much different story.

This ordeal began on September 20, when Johnstown police were dispatched to a two-family house on Smith Street.

When officers arrived, they discovered a newborn baby on the second floor who was bleeding, and unresponsive.

The child was treated at the scene by paramedics and then transported to Nathan Littauer hospital.

Because of her injuries, she was airlifted to Albany Medical Center.

Detectives began speaking with the child’s father, Jeremi Ferguson, 33. After interviewing relatives and collecting evidence, detectives obtained an arrest warrant, charging Ferguson with reckless assault of a child, a Class D felony.

Family members say the baby, Riley, who is now 2 months old, was released from Albany Medical Center the day after she arrived.

Even after Child Protective Services got involved, the child was released back to her parents.

The medical diagnosis for little Riley, according to family members, was: BRUE, or brief resolved unknown event.

Ferguson was arraigned on a single felony count in Johnstown City Court, released on his own recognizance. He was then turned over to state police on an active arrest warrant for grand larceny. The family declined to speak to NewsChannel 13 about that charge.