A Shamokin man charged with assaulting a 1-year-old boy Tuesday morning engaged in a social media altercation with the boy's father a few hours before the alleged attack took place.
Michael Jordan Mason, 22, of 169 N. Grant St., also posted a cryptic message about a "long night" about 45 minutes before he allegedly dropped Bo Bacorn three feet into a play pen, knocked him into a wall and pressed the boy's face to his neck several times in an attempt to stop the boy from crying. Mason told police he had been drinking gin and was angry because of a Playstation game.
Bacorn is in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, with a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain and multiple bruises.
Mason, who is the live-in boyfriend of the boy's mother, Skie Campbell, has been charged by city Patrolman Raymond Siko II with three felony counts of aggravated assault, a felony of endangering the welfare of a child and a misdemeanor of recklessly endangering another person.
'Worthless father'
At 11:02 p.m. Monday, the child's father, Daniel Bacorn, tagged Mason on a meme that said, "Oh I'm scared by your typed threats. Punch those keys hard, motherf---er."
At 11:09 p.m., Mason posted, "I'll see you on Thursday trust me anywhere you want you worthless father."
About 15 minutes later at 11:22 p.m. Monday, Mason posted, "You know what's gonna be great? Is your newborn baby and riley and bo are all gonna watch you get pieced the f--- up lol"
Mason also posted a remark on the future of Bacorn's and Campbell's unborn child: "By the way the newborn is getting my last name lol not yours me and Skie Campbell have discussed it haha so have fun with no kids." On Friday, Campbell was a patient at Geisinger Medical Center awaiting the birth of her child.
Campbell's mother, Carol Hertzog, said Bacorn has been to the hospital to visit Bo.
Plans for a fight
Bacorn responded to Mason's posts: "Such a bad--- ya two faced motherf---er."
Mason asked Bacorn at 1:02 a.m. Tuesday where he wanted to meet, supposedly to fight.
Bacorn responded a few minutes later, "Haha I'm here waiting."
Mason asked where and Bacorn told him "Austinville past troy."
At 1:14 a.m., Mason posted, "Meet me in towanda on thursday I'll give you details...i can't wait to get my hands on you," and Bacorn immediately responded, "F---ing moron come on up."
The two traded a few more barbs, but at 3:41 a.m. Tuesday, Mason's tone changed.
"Long night goodnight everyone," he wrote.
Shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday, he posted, "I just dont know bout this thing called life anymore." That was his last post before being arrested.
'Scumbag'
After Mason's arrest was made public, several people posted on his Facebook page, calling him a "scumbag" and telling him he deserves to die.
Caitlyn Willow wrote Wednesday on Mason's wall: "All these people hating and ill be the one writing to you. At least now you will know whose really there for you."
In response, Brandie Garinger wrote, "You disgust me just as much as he does. ... Do you think it was right for him to do what he did?" She also said Mason deserves to burn in hell.
