A babysitter was arrested this week for the assault of a seven-month-old infant in Stafford County.

On September 14th Deputy R.T. Philippsen responded to an apartment in Stafford County for a report of child abuse. The parents of a seven-month-old infant had returned home and discovered a red mark on the side of the infant’s face. In an effort to discover what caused the injury, the parents reviewed nanny cam footage of their living room for that day.

During review of the video, the babysitter is seen approaching the playpen. The infant is on his stomach with his head raised and the babysitter pushes his head down into the floor of the playpen which caused the infant to begin crying. The babysitter briefly left the camera view, but returned and forcefully manipulated the infant’s head in an attempt to place a pacifier in his mouth.

Detective Sergeant C.L. Smith assisted Deputy Philippsen in the investigation. After consultation with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, a warrant for assault and battery was obtained for the babysitter. The babysitter has been identified as Lauren Siegel, 36, of Stafford.

Siegel was arrested on September 19th and held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. The infant was checked by a pediatrician and no other injuries were discovered.