Young father arrested for child abuse on baby

Baby was 3 weeks old when brought to hospital with injuries

Posted 9/19/17

A 19-year-old father has been arrested and charged with first-degree child abuse against his three-week-old baby.

Luis R. Ortiz, of 217 Wood St., Apt. 11, was arrested Sept. 14, after the baby was …

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Young father arrested for child abuse on baby

Baby was 3 weeks old when brought to hospital with injuries

Posted

A 19-year-old father has been arrested and charged with first-degree child abuse against his three-week-old baby.

Luis R. Ortiz, of 217 Wood St., Apt. 11, was arrested Sept. 14, after the baby was brought to Hasbro Children’s Hospital for treatment of injuries to its face. The child had swelling, bruising and scratches below the eye.

Hasbro staff contacted the Department of Children, Youth and Families, which quickly contacted the Bristol Police Department. After a short investigation, officers found that Mr. Ortiz’s description of what happened to the baby did not match with what examiners learned at the hospital.

Said Bristol Police Capt. Brian Burke, “There were no broken bones, just bruising and scratches and swelling … but the story that the father was giving was inconsistent with how the injuries occurred.”

Capt. Burke said Mr. Ortiz and the baby were the only ones home at the time the injuries took place.

Mr. Ortiz was charged and released on $500 cash bail. He is scheduled for a prearraignment conference on Nov. 16.

According to Capt. Burke, DCYF determined that the best course of action was to remove the child from the home while they continue their investigation. He said two other children live at the same address.

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