A grand jury has indicted a mother and a step-father on 12 counts following the death of a 3-year-old child, according to Seneca County District Attorney Barry Porsch.
Police said the child, identified as Panagiotis "Peter" Stephanides-Vacchino, died Wednesday afternoon at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital.
Police said the child's biological father arrived at the hospital "prior to final life decisions." Porsch said a grand jury handed up the 12-count indictment against Donald and Alison Bovio, both 38.
The indictment includes:
3 counts of second-degree murder
2 counts of first-degree manslaughter
1 count of second-degree manslaughter
1 count of reckless assault of a child
2 counts of second-degree assault
1 count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon
2 counts of endangering the welfare of a child
Donald Bovio called 911 Saturday night and told dispatchers his stepson had fallen down the stairs, Peenstra said. When police arrived, the boy was unresponsive, he said. Donald P. Bovio is alledegely to have beaten the boy with a belt. The child's head also hit the floor and he became unconscious.
An autopsy will be performed to determined the child's actual cause of death.
The child's biological father was contacted and made decisions about the child's medical care, Peenstra said.