WARREN — The mother of an infant girl, who was struck more than 50 times over a three-day period last month, was arraigned Friday morning on two counts of child endangering.

Kathleen Long of 1546 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren, pleaded not guilty before Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge W. Wyatt McKay, who set a pretrial hearing for Oct. 7. Long, who was arrested Thursday afternoon at her home by Warren police on a secret indictment, remains in custody pending the posting of a $10,000 bond.

McKay assigned attorney Mary Ellen Ditchey to Long’s case. The judge also ordered Long not have contact with the infant.

A special session of the Trumbull County grand jury this week indicted both Long, 27, and Andrew J. Jacobs, 27 of 1951 Southern Blvd. NW, Warren.

Jacobs is charged with two counts of felonious assault and two counts of child endangering. His arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday before Judge Andrew D. Logan.

Jacobs was the subject of a Warren police investigation after a newborn was discovered with bleeding on the brain and a broken collarbone. A Trumbull County 911 report shows police were called to an apartment in the 200 block of Willard Avenue SE about 9:30 p.m. Aug. 26 to investigate injuries to infant Skylo Jacobs.

Trumbull County assistant Prosecutor Diane Barber said evidence in the case is strong, noting that the mother allowed the infant daughter to be abused over a three-day period. Barber said the infant was struck some 50 times, including blows to the head and blunt force trauma to the liver.

RECOVERING

According to Long’s mother April Broxton of Columbiana, the baby is recovering from her injuries and is now home in the custody of the paternal grandmother.

“I have to say it is a miracle, but she still has a bit of a brain bleed, and the doctors are watching that,” Broxton said.

Barber said the baby was hospitalized for three or four days at Akron Children’s Hospital, with injuries including retinal hemorrhages, brain bleed, liver damage and bruises all over her body.

Long had called 911 on Aug. 26 saying her baby had swollen eyes and bruises. She told dispatchers she had left her baby with her boyfriend for a couple of hours. The 911 report states that neighbors said they saw a man run out the apartment door.

Jail records show Jacobs, who authorities say is not the baby’s father, has been in custody since his arrest about noon Aug. 27. If convicted of all charges, Jacobs could face a maximum of 32 years in prison. Long could face as much as six years in prison.

Barber cited Long’s criminal history — which included a couple domestic violence charges and an active warrant out of Cuyahoga County.

Broxton said her daughter had been abused as a child by a male relative in Georgia and Indiana, and that Long had been in the state’s custody since she was 6.

Broxton said her granddaughter may get a new name, as the grandmothers want a “fresh start” for her.

“We may call her Emily, but we do know that she has a tough road ahead of her,” Broxton said adding she has started a petition drive on change.org circulated to U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and other legislators, asking for stronger laws against child abuse re-offenders. As of Friday at noon, 336 had signed the petition.