Man allegedly attempted to murder girlfriend's baby

March 4, 2009 01:50 PM Email| Comments (4)| Text size – +

By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff

A 22-year-old Brockton man is facing attempted murder and other charges after he allegedly attacked his girlfriend's baby daughter in a Mansfield hotel room.

Werner's booking photo

Matthew Werner allegedly hit and choked the 11-month-old, stopping only after his girlfriend, Amber Roberts, 21, of Laconia, N.H., struggled and screamed loudly, Mansfield Police said in a statement.

When he dropped the baby, Destiny, the mother picked her up and ran to the hotel manager for help, police said.

In addition to a charge of attempting to murder Destiny, Werner faces a charge of assault and battery on a child causing substantial injury, and domestic assault and battery on Amber Roberts. He was ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty at his arraignment in Attleboro District Court, said Bristol district attorney's spokesman Gregg Miliote. A dangerousness hearing was slated for Tuesday.

Werner's attorney, Joshua Werner, did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Joshua Werner's assistant said the two men were not related.

The baby is in the custody of the state Department of Children and Families, police said.

Police Chief Arthur M. O'Neill said the case was "a terrible thing." He said the baby received "substantial bruising" but was otherwise all right.

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4 comments so far...

Any one who would even think of assaulting an 11 month old baby deserves to serve the rest of his days behind bars being the "girlfriend" of another prisoner.'
Then again, maybe thats too good for him.
Hope the police kicked the daylights out of him before his day in court.

Posted by Kathy March 4, 09 01:43 PM

So if the mother didn't get the kids it seems that she is no better than the man who hurt the baby. in my opinion they should be both held buy the law and the kids should be taken care of by someone that could love them.

Posted by mike derba March 4, 09 01:47 PM

People Like this do not deserve freedom, they should be used as guinnea pigs to give something back to society . I would rather see someone like this in a cage being used for cancer research than some poor dog.

Posted by Julie March 4, 09 03:14 PM

He should be in jail for life! What sick person would hurt an innocent baby! I hope if he goes to jail that he will get what he deserves from the inmates......a serious beating!

Posted by MommyfromBoston March 4, 09 03:26 PM