HERNANDO COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has arrested a 19-year-old woman in connection to the abuse and neglect of a one-month-old infant.
HCSO says they were informed of a child abuse case from the Tampa Police Department (TPD) on August 25. TPD was investigating the case at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital (SJCH).
According to TPD, the child had been injured at a residence on Woodbury Rd. in Spring Hill and was taken to Oak Hill Hospital, where they were air-lifted to SJCH for specialized treatment.
HCSO detectives first spoke to the nursing staff at Oak Hill Hospital. They say they were told that the one-month-old infant was brought into their emergency department with “injuries.”
When the one-month-old arrived, HCSO says the nursing staff immediately saw “severe” swelling forming on the infant’s head. They say during diagnostic testing and medical scans, the head continued to swell.
HCSO says nurses then spoke to 19-year-old Arianna Renee Hamilton of Spring Hill, who brought the infant to the hospital.
Detectives say Hamilton told nurses she was changing the infant’s diaper when the infant “rolled off the bed” and was injured when they hit the floor.
HCSO says nurses received the results back from the medical scans, which showed the infant suffering from “several skull fractures” requiring advanced and specialized care. They say the infant was air-lifted to SJCH in Tampa for further evaluation.
HCSO detectives then spoke with the nursing team at SJCH. They say additional scans were performed which showed not only the skull fractures but fractures to both shins and both femurs, along with a collarbone fracture.
The nursing staff mentioned to detectives that all injuries were in various stages of healing, implying that they happened at different times.
While the infant was listed in critical condition, detectives spoke with Hamilton who they say was at SJCH.
Hamilton reportedly told HCSO detectives that while changing the infant on the bed, she “let go with both hands,” causing the infant to fall on the bed and then on the hardwood floor.
According to HCSO, Hamilton said she was “too scared” to call 911 and instead packed a baby bag and took the infant to Oak Hill Hospital.
Detectives say Hamilton was unable to provide a reason for the other fractures that the infant obtained.
Detectives then spoke with a family member, who said they saw Hamilton yelling at the infant for “constantly crying.”
According to detectives, Hamilton mentioned to the family member that she “wished the infant was not in her care.”
HCSO then spoke with another family member, who was able to provide photos of the infant’s injuries taken on different dates. Detectives say each photo showed a new injury, including lacerations, bruising, and swelling.
They say the family member confronted Hamilton about the injuries, who was still unable to provide a reason for them.
The family member told detectives they attempted on “several occasions” to get help for the child in a nearby county but were met with “negative results.”
HCSO says everyone who cared for the infant told them the injuries did not occur while the infant was in their care.
The physician treating the infant told detectives the differentiation in healing timelines for the fractures indicated “ongoing abuse.”
Detectives executed a search warrant at the Woodbury Rd. address where the infant stayed. During the search, they said the bed where the infant was reportedly changed did not show signs of a recent diaper change. They say all items used to change a baby were “located in another room.”
HCSO says on August 26, physicians at SJCH confirmed the injuries to the infant were not accidental and categorized them as child abuse.
During an interview with Hamilton on Aug. 27, detectives say she admitted to becoming frustrated and reportedly squeezed the infant, causing the fractures.
Detectives placed Hamilton under arrest, charging her with Aggravated Child Abuse and Child Neglect.
She is currently being held with no bond.
There are currently no updates on the infant’s condition.