An 8-month-old boy was rushed to the hospital after his mother returned home from work to discover him scorched and covered in bruises, according to the Florida sheriff’s office.
The baby’s caregiver is currently facing child abuse charges.
The baby’s mother left the kid in the care of a 33-year-old male on February 18 while she went to work, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office news release dated February 23.
McClatchy News does not identify the dad in order to protect the child’s identity.
According to the sheriff’s office, the man called the baby’s mother during her workday to inform her that the child had “accidentally” burned themselves while reaching for a cup of hot chocolate.
When the mother returned home later that day, she discovered more than just a tiny burn on her infant, according to the sheriff’s office.
She discovered bruises “all over” the child’s body, according to the sheriff’s office, and took the 8-month-old to the hospital.
Doctors discovered the baby had “severe injuries,” including “ear injuries from high-velocity force, broken blood vessels, a non-displaced left parietal fracture, and a significant burn requiring skin grafting,” according to the sheriff’s office.
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators found that the guy was responsible for the injuries and arrested him on February 22.
He is charged with two charges of aggravated child abuse, one crime of child abuse, and one act of child neglect, according to the sheriff’s office.
“The magnitude of this case is indescribable,” Sheriff Chad Chronister stated in a statement. “The thought that someone could inflict such harm on a defenseless eight-month-old baby is sickening.”
The sheriff’s office stated that the inquiry is underway.