Man Abused Nazareth Boy, Police Say

A Wilson man has been charged with physically abusing a 4-year-old Nazareth boy, Police Chief Thomas Trachta said Saturday.

John Lam, 31, of the 1500 block of Ferry Street, is charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children stemming from attacks on the child on April 29 and May 23, police said.

A woman is also accused of helping cover it up by lying about the nature of his injuries, police reported.

Police said the attacks happened at a home in Nazareth.

Patrolman Daniel Troxell made the arrests of Lam and Amy Lee Mertus on Friday, after a county Children & Youth caseworker alerted police, according to court records.

Lam allegedly admitted to police that he injured the boy, according to police. Lam was arraigned on the charges and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of 10 percent of $25,000 bail.

Police also charged Mertus, 30, with endangering the welfare of children, police said. Mertus was not jailed.

When the boy misbehaved on May 23, police said, Lam shoved him into a wall, injuring his face and the back of his head. The child's injuries required stitches and a visit to the emergency room, police said.

While at the hospital, Mertus told doctors the boy was hurt by falling off a bicycle, police said.

In the first reported incident on April 29, police said, Lam slapped the boy in the face, causing bruising and swelling to his left eye. Those injuries also required a visit to the emergency room, police said.