Greene mother accused of failing to report baby’s abuse headed to trial
The mother of a Greene County infant who was physically and sexually assaulted by the baby’s father is going to trial on charges of child endangerment.
Prosecutors said Kyliene Rhome, 25, of Washington Township, knew about the suspected abuse by the child’s father, Zachary Bryte, before she took her month-old son to the hospital in June 2025.
After Judge Jeffrey Grimes declined a request for another continuance in the case Wednesday, Rhome opted to go to trial.
Greene County Prosecutor Brianna Vanata said she had been negotiating a plea offer with the defense for several months as the case was being continued. As of Wednesday morning, an offer of one to three years of state prison was on the table.
“We’ve rescinded that offer, and it won’t be available anymore,” Vanata said.
Rhome’s attorney, Marissa Stewart, declined to comment Wednesday on the reasons for going to trial.
No trial date was set at Wednesday’s hearing. A pretrial management conference is scheduled for Oct. 6, with jury selection beginning the next day.
According to court paperwork, Rhome had taken the child to UPMC-Greene after he experienced seizure-like symptoms.
In interviews with police, Rhome recalled getting into an argument with Bryte about two weeks earlier, then hearing a sound she told Bryte “had better not be the baby’s head.” Her son’s health began declining after that, she told police.
A doctor who testified at Rhome’s preliminary hearing said the baby had been lethargic and covered in bruises, including ones above his eye and left forehead.
The child was transferred to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., where he was placed in a medically induced coma. Staff noted extensive bruising, as well as a skull fracture, brain bleeding, multiple rib fractures and other internal injuries.
Bryte, 28, pleaded guilty to attempted homicide, aggravated assault by an adult against a victim under 13, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a victim under 16, aggravated indecent assault of a child, endangering welfare of children and simple assault.
He is set to be sentenced on Aug. 27.