A Warren man accused of sexually assaulting a two-month-old child appeared before Judge Gregory Hammond on Thursday morning to answer to charges related to the incident.
Francis J. Notoro, 25, of 225 Pennsylvania Ave. W., Apt. 302, pleaded not guilty to charges including involuntary deviant sexual intercourse with a child, rape of a child, simple assault, endangering the welfare of a child and indecent assault.
The charges stem from a July 15 incident in which personnel at Warren General Hospital reported suspicious injuries to an infant brought to the facility by Notoro. Injuries consisted of questionable bruising and abrasions on various parts of the child's body, including the genital area. In preliminary court proceedings on the matter, Dr. David McConnell said the injuries were consistent with bite marks.
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Notoro
Notoro stands accused of committing oral sexual acts on the child as a result of further investigation into the injuries.
Notoro appeared without legal counsel, electing to represent himself after declining the services of the public defender's office.
"I know what questions to ask to... prove my innocence," Notoro told the judge when questioned about his decision.
Notoro told the court he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from his time in the military, as well as a number of other conditions. He claimed the Warren County Jail was preventing him from obtaining treatment for his ailments.
"Basically, the jail is giving me no assistance," Notoro claimed.
Hammond deemed Notoro unable to represent himself in further court proceedings.
"It is the court's opinion he is not competent to represent himself," Hammond said.
Hammond appointed Warren County Public Defender John Parroccini to defend Notoro.
Notoro faces more than 80 years in prison if convicted.