BLOOMSBURG - A 25-year-old Numidia man arraigned last month on child abuse charges has been released from Columbia County Prison on his own recognizance after being jailed for approximately one month.
Matthew J. Sacks, who has denied committing the offenses, was set free Friday after initially being incarcerated in lieu of $10,000 cash bail.
At a Dec. 20 preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Craig Long of Catawissa, he waived three felony counts each of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children, and three misdemeanor counts each of simple assault and recklessly endangering person.
No date has been set for Sacks' next legal proceeding in Columbia County Court.
The defendant suffers from Tourette syndrome and has a history of child abuse and other criminal offenses, according to police.
Sacks, who was charged Dec. 5 by Locust Township Patrolman Nicholas Thorpe, is accused of assaulting his 2-month-old son in October at his residence, causing the child to suffer multiple fractures and bruises.
Sacks' attorney is Gregory Moro, of Bloomsburg.
The defendant, who turned himself in at Long's office Dec. 6, has in the past undergone a mental health evaluation and was previously incarcerated for failure to pay child support.
At his arraignment, Moro said Sacks pleaded guilty in 2008 to a misdemeanor of furnishing alcohol to minors and paid a fine and costs, but served no jail time.
But Thorpe told the judge Sacks was originally charged with indecent exposure and indecent assault in the case and ended up pleading guilty to the furnishing offense.
The officer cited a 2008 case in which Sacks was accused of physically abusing his then 4-month-old daughter.
Thorpe also mentioned a March 2013 case in which Sacks was found in possession of a handgun.
In addition to committing Sacks to prison at his arraignment, Long ordered the defendant to avoid contact with his own children and all minors.