Patricia J. Carter admitted Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court that she assaulted her baby son in February 2012 and threatened a witness who recorded part of the incident.
Carter, 23, of Mahanoy City, pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of children, terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of aggravated assault.
Judge Jacqueline L. Russell accepted the plea but did not immediately sentence Carter, instead ordering preparation of a presentence investigation and saying she would schedule sentencing within about 45 days.
"I accept Ms. Carter's plea as knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently entered," Russell said.
Russell allowed Carter to continue to remain free on $100,000 unsecured bail pending sentencing. She eliminated a requirement that Carter get court approval before moving but required her to notify the court if she does move.
Carter was living in Shenandoah when she assaulted Alexander Merva, then 11 1/2 months old, between 10:10 p.m. and 10:20 p.m. Feb. 6, 2012, according to police.
Shenandoah police allege that Carter blew her nose into her son's T-shirt, wrapped it around his head, called him profane names, grabbed an object from him, shoved him to the ground, yelled more profanities at him, picked him up, shook him violently, took off the boy's shirt and wrapped it around his face.
"I guess you can still breathe, you are moving," is what Carter said while wrapping the shirt around Merva's face, according to police.
Police also alleged that on March 29, 2012, the date of her preliminary hearing, Carter threatened Tye Clark, the man who took the video, by saying she would harm him if she went to jail.
During Wednesday's hearing, Carter testified she moved to Mahanoy City from Minersville in March. She also said she has completed rehabilitation and parenting classes. Defendant: Patricia J. Carter
Age: 23
Residence: Mahanoy City
Crimes committed: Endangering the welfare of children, terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.