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NJ Man Accused Of Beating Infant Son Caught By Police

PLAINFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - Authorities say a northern New Jersey man accused of severely beating his 3-month-old child was captured as he tried to flee the state.

Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow says 34-year-old Michael Bell of Plainfield was arrested late Saturday night near Penn Station in Newark. Bell was being held Sunday without bail, and it's not known if he has a lawyer.

According to police, Bell was already aboard a bus to Iowa. Officers stopped the bus, boarded and arrested Bell.

NJ Man Accused Of Beating Infant Son Caught By Police

Bell faces an aggravated assault charge in the matter, and Romankow says additional charges are expected.

"Unfortunately, I don't believe that the child will recover. We've been advised that Zion, the baby, is in grave condition. So we're obviously keeping a watch and there are a lot of people, both law enforcement and not who are praying for this child," Romankow told 1010 WINS' Gene Michaels.

Plainfield police responded to a Lee Place home around 10:35 p.m. Friday and found the infant, who was suffering from fractures and internal bleeding. The child remained hospitalized Sunday in grave condition.

Bell fled the house after allegedly assaulting the child, police said.

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