Guilty pleas in child endangering case

YOUNGSTOWN — A Mahoning Avenue couple has pleaded guilty to reduced charges of child endangering concerning injuries suffered by their infant son more than four years ago.

Julie L. Exline, 29, and Peter J. Serbin, 48, pleaded guilty Wednesday to endangering their 4-month-old son, Joseph Serbin, who suffered injuries including eye hemorrhaging, blood on his brain and a fractured skull between April 1 and May 5, 2003.

Dawn Krueger, assistant county prosecutor, described the symptoms as “classic symptoms of shaken baby syndrome.”

Exline and Serbin would have faced two to eight years in prison on the original second degree felony level charge, but face probation to 18 months in prison on the reduced fourth degree felony charge, Krueger said. Krueger added that she is recommending probation for the couple; and the boy’s guardian, who is seeking permanent custody of the child, is in agreement with that.

Exline and Serbin will be sentenced by Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court at 9 a.m. Nov. 30. Krueger attributed delays in the case to changes of defense lawyers and Serbin’s health problems.