High bail stays for sitter arrested in child assault

Nicolas Coker (Rochester Police photo)

DOVER – The East Rochester man arrested in the brutal assault of a 4-year-old he was baby-sitting on Thursday told police he picked the girl up by her throat and stuck his fingers down her throat after she threw a barbie doll at him, court testimony revealed today at his arraignment in Dover District Court.

Nicolas Coker, 20, of 63 Salmon Falls Road Apt. 22, will remain on high bail at Strafford County House of Corrections after Judge Stephen M. Morrison refused to amend his bail to home confinement.

Coker is charged with felony second-degree assault, under the statute’s strangulation subsection in connection with the case.

Rochester Police Captain Paul Toussaint said the child suffered a severe strangulation event, including petechial hemorrhaging of the eyes.

Bleeding in the eyes is a classic symptom of asphyxiation, or choking. 

The girl’s mother noticed her eyes were injured and took the child to Frisbie Memorial Hospital where she remained overnight for observation.

The assault took place in the child's home, Toussaint said, adding Coker had been used as a baby sitter by the mom for several months.

Coker admitted to police he had an anger problem and didn’t remember much of the incident, court testimony revealed. He said when he regained his senses, he saw the girl was doubled over on the couch and crying.

Strafford County attorney Alysia Cassotis reminded the court that under the statute regarding assault on a child Coker faces an enhanced penalty with a potential imprisonment of 10-30 years.

A probable cause hearing is set for Dec. 16 at 1 p.m.

Coker has no prior criminal history except a misdemeanor theft from 2012, Cassotis said.

If he is able to make the $10,000 bail, Coker can have no contact with the child or her mom, stay at his parents’ Rochester house confined on a monitoring bracelet and undergo mental health counseling among other conditions.