SPRING HILL, Fla. — A 19-year-old woman is facing charges, including aggravated child abuse, after authorities say a one-month-old was critically injured.
According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, deputies were notified by the Tampa Police Department on Sunday that it was investigating a child abuse case at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.
HCSO says TPD learned the one-month-old was injured at a home located in the area of Woodbury Road in Spring Hill, and was initially taken to Oak Hill Hospital. The baby was later airlifted to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.
Detectives with the sheriff's office responded to both hospitals for questioning.
At Oak Hill Hospital, a detective was told by nursing staff that the infant was suffering a head injury due to severe swelling and skull fractures.
The nurse then reportedly said the child was brought in by 19-year-old Arianna Hamilton, who told hospital officials the baby rolled off the bed while she was changing their diaper.
The infant later arrived at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, where additional scans also showed fractures to both shins, both femurs and the collarbone. The child was listed in critical condition.
Nurses also said the injuries appeared to be in different stages of healing, meaning they happened at different times.
Detectives say they spoke to Hamilton at the hospital, who reiterated that the infant fell off the bed while she was changing them. She also said she was "too scared" to call 911 and chose to take the baby to the hospital, deputies say.
When asked about other fractures, Hamilton reportedly was unable to provide a reason for them.
Detectives say they spoke with another family member who told them they saw Hamilton yelling at the one-month-old for constantly crying. Officials also say Hamilton told this relative that she wished the child was not in her care.
Another relative provided detectives with photos taken on different dates showing injuries on the child. The photos were taken on Aug. 6, 9, 13 and 20, and included injuries such as lacerations, bruising and swelling.
All other people who take care of the infant told deputies the injuries did not happen with them.
Investigators later conducted a search warrant at the Spring Hill home and said the bed where the infant was reportedly changed did not show signs of a recent diaper change, did not have any dirty clothes or diapers disposed in the garbage cans. They also reportedly found items used to change a baby in another room.
On Monday, hospital officials confirmed that the infant's injuries were not accidental, but child abuse.
In an interview with detectives on Tuesday, Hamilton reportedly admitted to becoming frustrated and squeezing the infant too hard, causing the injuries.
Hamilton was arrested and is facing charges of aggravated child abuse and child neglect.
