FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — A Philadelphia-area fire chief is facing felony charges after allegedly throwing his 3-month-old daughter to the ground, causing severe injuries, police said.
Brian Salt, 36, the suspended fire chief of Falls Township, is charged with aggravated assault and remains held on 10% of a $500,000 bail. Authorities said the infant sustained a skull fracture and other injuries during the March 12 incident.
Police were alerted after hospital staff at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reported unexplained trauma to the child. “Largely based around a skull fracture on the right side of the rear of the head,” said Falls Township Police Detective Dennis O’Connell, citing medical evaluations. Additional injuries included bruising to the legs and bleeding in and around the eye.
Salt and his wife initially claimed they were unaware of how the injuries occurred. During a second police interview, Salt allegedly admitted he was alone with the baby, who was inconsolable due to colic. “In his own words, he just kind of lost control,” said O’Connell. “Lost his cool. And in the process of actually picking her up from a swing, he took her out of the swing and then threw her to the ground.”
Salt has been indefinitely suspended from his duties as fire chief and as a firefighter and EMT in neighboring Northampton Township.
“We are aware of the criminal charges involving Fire Chief Brian Salt,” the Falls Township Fire Department said in a public statement. “Chief Salt has been suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.”
The child remains under medical care. No additional details on her condition were provided.
Key Points
- Falls Township Fire Chief Brian Salt, 36, is charged with aggravated assault after allegedly throwing his infant daughter to the ground.
- The baby sustained a skull fracture and other injuries and was treated at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
- Salt is suspended indefinitely from all firefighter and EMT duties and held on $50,000 bail.