ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — A St. George mother is facing three felony charges of aggravated child abuse after she was accused of abusing her four-month-old infant when it was taken to the St. George Regional Hospital.
Jessica Lynn Archuleta, 27, has been ordered to be held without bail, pending a pretrial hearing in St. George. In addition to the third-degree felony aggravated child abuse charges, Archuleta was also charged with third-degree felony witness tampering.
A detective with the St. George Police said he responded to the hospital after getting a report of suspected child abuse. Archuleta’s daughter was brought in with a cut under her nose and skull fracture after she reportedly fell off a bed. Doctors said x-rays also revealed multiple broken ribs at different stages of healing.
Archuleta allegedly told investigators that she had become frustrated with her child because of her crying. Detectives said Archuleta admitted to having a “heavy hand” with her child and could have been too rough when grabbing the infant by the cheeks to open her mouth and give her medicine. She also allegedly made a motion with her hands like she was holding a baby on its sides and squeezing.
A witness told investigators that they saw Archuleta “be rough” with the infant at times when she was crying or upset. The witness reported hearing the baby only when she was moved or held. The witness also said that detectives left on the day of the investigation, they overheard Archuleta tell her boyfriend “If you tell them, I will kill you.”
Detectives said Archuleta’s child was taken into the Department of Child and Family Services custody after the incident and placed into foster care.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
#George #woman #accused #abusing #4monthold #infant
Leave a Reply