BUCKEYE, Ariz. (TCD) — A 27-year-old man is in custody after a 4-month-old girl suffered severe injuries, including skull fractures, while in his care.
According to the Buckeye Police Department, on March 13, officers learned the infant had been transported to a valley hospital with extensive skull fractures, brain bleeding, and broken ribs. Detectives determined the baby’s injuries were caused by David Roman. KTVK-TV identified Roman as the victim’s father.
Detectives interviewed the baby’s mother at the hospital, and she reportedly said Roman cared for the girl that day. According to KTVK, the mother told officials Roman called her, stating he stepped on a toy, dropped the baby, and fell on her by accident. When the mother came back home, she and Roman reportedly brought the infant to the hospital.
Documents reviewed by KTVK say a nurse informed Roman that they contacted police and the Arizona Department of Child Safety. Roman, however, left before any officers arrived.
When officers spoke with Roman at his home, he reportedly told them the same story he told the mother about stepping on the toy and falling on top of the victim. According to KTVK, Roman said the victim’s mother was “better with the children.” Police did not see any signs of toys near the area where Roman claimed to have fallen.
Officers informed Roman that they determined the baby had fallen three different times while under the defendant’s care, KTVK reports. Roman reportedly responded and said the baby fell once after he placed her on the bed and their dog dragged her off. Roman allegedly said he didn’t tell his girlfriend because she didn’t want him to get rid of the dog.
Roman reportedly said the child fell off the bed a second time while he was playing video games. He claimed the third instance was when he fell on her. However, upon further testing and medical examinations, police determined the baby’s injuries were “not accidental.”
Police arrested Roman at his home on Wednesday, March 27. He was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on three counts of child abuse and three counts of endangerment.
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