CENTRALIA, IL — A 28-year-old Centralia man was charged Thursday morning in Marion County Court with felony battery of a child. According to Centralia police, Joshua Witkowski was arrested after a two-month-old girl was taken to the Herrin Hospital for treatment of injuries.

Witkowski is reportedly the infant girl’s father and had her at his Centralia home for visitation. Upon her return home the family allegedly found bruising, a hand print on the child’s face and a burn mark on her chest. The child’s doctor believed her injuries were from child abuse and notified the Department of Children and Family Services. Centralia police were also notified as the alleged incident occurred at Witkowski’s home and they arrested him Wednesday. He reportedly told police the baby’s injuries occurred when he accidentally dropped her in the sink while giving her a bath and claimed the burn mark was from too much calcium in the water.

Witkowski, who is a registered sex offender, was formally charged Thursday with Class 3 felony aggravated battery to a child. According to the Sex Offender Registry, he 18-years-old when was convicted in Missouri of criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault of a 14-year-old victim. His bond was set at $50,000 and he was ordered to have no contact with anyone under the age of 18.

Witkowski is next scheduled to appear in Marion County Court April 12 for a preliminary hearing and first appearance with his court appointed attorney on the battery of a child charge.