Man, 26, Arrested For Allegedly Causing Great Bodily Injury To Girlfriend's Son, 2
HIGHLAND (CBSLA.com) — Authorities have announced the arrest of a 26-year-old Highland man they accused of committing great bodily injury to his girlfriend's 2-year-old son.
Officials said suspect Jermaul Earl Baldridge and his girlfriend took her boy to Loma Linda Children's hospital this past Thursday because he had a black eye that was swollen shut.
While at the hospital, doctors found that the victim had sustained a severe brain injury as a result of traumatic injury to his head, while in the care of Baldridge. The victim was seen by a Forensic Pediatrician. The pediatrician found that the toddler had bleeding in his brain, a lacerated liver, a fractured skull, and numerous bruises over his entire body.
The boy, at present, is a patient in the Intensive Care Unit at Loma Linda Children's Hospital.
Social workers from Children and Family Services and detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department – Crimes Against Children detail were contacted and conducted an investigation.
Baldridge's two biological children were placed into protective custody with Children and Family Services.
It was determined that Baldridge's initial account of how the toddler sustained his injuries, was not consistent with the medical examination.
Detectives on Friday interviewed Baldridge and later placed under arrest for Child Endangerment charges, causing great bodily injury. He was booked into the Central Detention Center, where he is being held in lieu of $ 500,000 bail.
The suspect is scheduled for arraignment at the San Bernardino Superior Court on Tuesday.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Specialized Investigations – Crimes Against Children Detail. If you want to remain anonymous, call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME.
