Unresponsive baby in Statesville reveals sexual abuse of 15-year-old; 3 charged: Police
STATESVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — An unresponsive 13-month-old baby brought to a hospital set off an investigation that revealed the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old, according to the Statesville Police Department.
Officers say they were called to Iredell Memorial Hospital on Feb. 17 about a 13-month-old baby who was brought to the hospital unresponsive. The baby was later taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for additional treatment.
Arrested: Christopher Torres (Statesville Police)
According to authorities, 26-year-old Statesville resident Christopher Jose Torres, who was the boyfriend of the baby’s mother, says he found the baby unresponsive after he took the child and his daughters on a car ride around Statesville.
However, investigators say the facts do not match what Torres claims.
The baby’s mother says she left the 13-month-old with Torres when she left for work. Torres claims the baby was hurt during a fall and was struck by a baby doll, but, upon a medical evaluation, it was found that the baby had severe, intentional injuries, including two brain bleeds and bruising.
Authorities say a sexual relationship between the then-21-year-old Torres and a 15-year-old was revealed during the investigation into the baby’s abuse. Torres was then charged with 10 counts of Statutory Rape/Sex Offenses Against a Child 15 or Younger and 1 count of Intentional Child Abuse—Serious Bodily Injury.
The Department of Social Services (DSS) was contacted and took custody of Torres’ 3 juvenile daughters.
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According to officials, Torres was found and arrested by the United States Marshals Service at a family member’s home in Davie County on March 5. He was taken to the Iredell County Jail and held without bond.
On March 6, Torres appeared before a judge and received a $1.25 million secured bond.
On March 7, DSS interviewed Torres’ daughters who said their grandmother, 52-year-old Birma Antonia Pabon, and aunt, 28-year-old Tiffany Marie Roman, both of Stateville, told the girls to provide false information to DSS, the agency says.
Both are charged with Felony Accessory After the Fact.
Deputies say they found Tiffany Roman on March 11, and she was given a $30,000 unsecured bond. Birma Pabon has yet to be found.
The 13-month-old baby has been discharged from the hospital but will need ongoing physical therapy, according to police. The investigation into both incidents is still ongoing.
The Statesville Police Department, United States Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, Iredell County Department of Social Services, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s Child Abuse Team, Iredell County Sheriff’s Department, and the Davie County Sheriff’s Department all assisted in the investigation.
This is a developing story; check back for updates
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