YOUNGSTOWN Father arraigned in baby's binding

The defendant told the judge he meant no harm.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Burp cloths were used to bind the hands of 2-month-old baby girl behind her back and hold a pacifier in her mouth, police said.
The baby's father, Roger Johnson, 20, of Rutledge Avenue, was arraigned via video Tuesday in municipal court on charges of endangering children and unlawful restraint. Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. released Johnson from jail on his own recognizance, noting that he lives with his mother.
Anthony J. Farris, chief assistant city prosecutor, said the detective on the case believes Johnson is "somewhat on the slow side." Johnson told the judge he never meant to harm the baby.
Johnson's mother was in court. She told the judge that her son is not a danger and that she has his 1-year-old son.
Mother found baby
Johnson's girlfriend, the 21-year-old mother of the 2-month-old, lives on Woodcrest Avenue, reports show. The mother, who left the baby at Johnson's on Sept. 23, told police she found the infant face down on a bed, bound and gagged and wrapped in a blanket.
The baby, with the pacifier held in her mouth, couldn't spit it out because the burp cloth was tied around her head and mouth, reports show.
When the baby's mother questioned Johnson, he fled on a motor scooter without answering, police said.
Police said the mother waited several hours before reporting what happened. Warrants were issued Monday for Johnson after an investigation by Patrolman Anthony Harris of the juvenile division.