Camp Hill, Pennsylvania – An infant was thrown onto a parking lot during a four-person fight outside a central Pennsylvania shopping mall after a mother allegedly brought her child into the altercation, according to local police.
What Happened Outside Capital City Mall
The incident occurred around noon on Saturday outside Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township, police said. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators shows four women mutually engaging in a physical fight in the mall’s parking lot.
One of the women, Oreil Dykes, 26, had her infant child with her at the time, authorities said. According to police, Dykes initially left the child unattended in a stroller positioned in the main parking aisle so she could participate in the fight.
Child Allegedly Brought Into the Fight
Police say that moments later, Dykes returned to retrieve the stroller — but instead of moving the child away from the confrontation, she allegedly brought the infant back toward the ongoing brawl.
According to the police statement, Dykes attempted to kick at another individual while pushing the stroller. During that action, the stroller reportedly tipped over, and because the infant was not properly restrained, the child was thrown onto the parking lot surface.
Officers described the incident as especially dangerous given the location and the presence of moving vehicles in the area.
Injuries and Police Response
Lower Allen Township police officers responded to the scene and spoke with two of the women involved, Kajah George, 30, and Messiah Cloud, 21. Officers noted that both women showed visible injuries, including damage to their knuckles and facial areas, consistent with a physical fight.
Through follow-up investigation and review of surveillance footage, police later identified Dykes and Carrie Bowman, 46, as additional participants in the altercation.
Charges Filed Against All Four Women
As a result of the investigation, Oreil Dykes was charged with:
- Endangering the welfare of a child (felony)
- Simple assault (misdemeanor)
The other three women — Carrie Bowman, Kajah George, and Messiah Cloud — were each charged with misdemeanor simple assault, police said.
Authorities confirmed that Dykes was arrested on Saturday, the same day as the incident, while the remaining three women were arrested several days later on Wednesday.
What Authorities Have Not Disclosed
Police have not released information about what triggered the fight, how the individuals knew one another, or whether the altercation began inside or outside the mall. Investigators also did not clarify whether the infant required medical treatment following the fall.
Court records show that Dykes has a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 15. As of now, there are no publicly listed court proceedings for the other three women related to the incident.
Safety Concerns Highlighted by the Case
Law enforcement officials emphasized that bringing children into volatile situations can result in serious harm, especially in public spaces such as parking lots where vehicles, pavement, and bystanders increase the risk of injury.
Cases involving alleged child endangerment are treated seriously under Pennsylvania law, particularly when a child is exposed to physical violence or unsafe conditions during criminal activity.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation remains active, and police said additional details could be released if further charges or court actions occur. Capital City Mall officials have not publicly commented on the incident.
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