Mother and Boyfriend Charged with Child Abuse

Carlos Gutierrez, 25, and Melida Motino, 20, were both charged with aggravated child abuse and two counts of child neglect after an investigation into a head trauma suffered by the girl indicated she had two high force impacts to the back of the head while in their care, according to a report.

On August 21, Gutierrez was watching the Motino's daughter and two other children while she was at work. Gutierrez told authorities the baby suffered a seizure while he was bathing her, however, the two children said in an interview that Gutierrez became mad that the baby vomited and threw her in the "pack and play." 

Because the baby suffered a frontal subdural hemorrhage and two skull fractures, medical records show, she began having a seizure. One of the other children told authorities the baby was "acting creepy and making funny sounds," a report said.

The boy told authorities during a forensic interview on August 23, that Gutierrez told him not to say anything about what happened or he'd "never see grandma again."

Instead of calling 911, Gutierrez called Motino at work and waited for her to get home before taking the child to the hospital, the report said. Instead of calling an ambulance, the couple took the baby to Blake Medical Center via bus, not arriving until 7:30 p.m. although the incident had occurred before 4 p.m.

An investigation by the MCSO determined the lapse in time before seeking medical treatment to be consistent with child neglect, a report said. The doctor taking the baby's MRI also found evidence of a previous head trauma suffered on August 1, while Gutierrez was reportedly watching her.  

The baby was transported to All Children's Hospital in Tampa where she was treated and released, a report states.