Man accused of sexually assaulting 9-month-old in what sheriff calls 'most severe' case he's seen

A West Virginia man was arrested Monday after police say he sexually assaulted his girlfriend's 9-month-old daughter.

Benjamin Taylor (West Virginia Regional Jail Authority)

According to authorities, 32-year-old Benjamin Taylor of Cottageville, West Virginia, was found in the basement of his girlfriend's home with her 9-month-old daughter. The child had suffered trauma to the lower part of her body and had bruising on her head and face, WCHS-TV reported.

The girl was unresponsive when the mother got to her and called police. She told officers that she fell asleep prior to the alleged assault.

The 9-month-old was taken to a nearby hospital, where she is in critical condition.

Taylor, meanwhile, was charged with first-degree sexual assault and is currently behind bars. His bail was set at $2 million.

Jackson County Sheriff Tony Boggs called it "the most severe case that I've seen, especially with the age of the victim."

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