Baltimore Parents Jailed After 2-Month-Old Dies of Skull Fractures, Brain Trauma

Two Baltimore parents face child abuse charges after their 2-month-old daughter died with brain trauma and skull fractures. Police say they waited days before seeking help.

Baltimore Couple Charged After Infant Dies With Brain Trauma and Skull Fractures

Two Baltimore parents waited days to seek medical help for their 2-month-old daughter — who had already developed bruising, vomiting, and was ultimately found unresponsive — before she was pronounced dead, Law & Crime reports.

Katerin Monzon-Alvarado and Oscar Pineda, both 21, were arrested and charged with first- and second-degree child abuse, first- and second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment, the Baltimore Police Department announced. Additional homicide charges are pending the results of an autopsy, police said.

Officers were called to MedStar Harbor Hospital in Baltimore at approximately 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, following a report of an infant's death. Two-month-old Aida Alvarado was found dead on arrival.

"Members of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner responded and recovered the infant's remains," the police department stated. "Preliminary findings indicate that the infant suffered trauma to the body."

Hospital staff noted bruising around the baby's eyes and jawline, raising immediate suspicions, according to local CBS affiliate WJZ. A medical examination revealed head and brain trauma along with multiple skull fractures.

Detectives interviewed both parents after detaining them at the family's home. Pineda told investigators the injuries were caused by "a supernatural force or Satan slamming a door on the child," according to police. Monzon-Alvarado attributed the injuries to the couple's 2-year-old son, saying he had jumped on a bed, causing Aida to fall to the floor. Authorities said a single fall from a bed could not account for the extent of the girl's injuries.

Both defendants reportedly acknowledged noticing bruises on the baby as early as Sunday. She began vomiting the following day. Despite these signs, neither parent sought medical attention until Wednesday, when Aida was found unresponsive. The couple was then arrested and taken into custody.

Source: Law & Crime