On October 4, 2018, Ithaca Police Department officers initiated an investigation involving the assault of a three-year old child. Officers determined the child sustained significant injuries while in the custody of his father, Joshua Barnes.
The child was taken to a local hospital for emergency medical attention where he was treated for multiple contusions. Barnes denied involvement and fled to the Baltimore area.
On October 24, an Arrest Warrant with full extradition was signed by Ithaca City Court Judge Miller. The Arrest Warrant contained two charges against Barnes: Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A Misdemeanor.
On November 20, Barnes was arrested in Baltimore and was held for IPD officers. On December 3, IPD Investigators responded to Baltimore and took custody of Barnes. Later that evening, Barnes was arraigned in Ithaca City Court on the aforementioned charges and was remanded to the Tompkins County Jail in lieu of $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond.
