http://www.wdam.com/story/17794981/father-charged-in-child-abuse-of-a-seven-week-old-infant
Father charged in child abuse of a seven-week old infant.
JONES COUNTY, MS (WDAM) -
A Jones County man is charged with child abuse in connection with a 2010 case that involved a seven-week old infant.
Roberto Mendez, 21, of Burn't Bridge Road near the Pendorf Community made his initial appearance in Jones County Justice Court Thursday. Besides the child abuse charge, Mendez is also charged with one count of sexual battery.
In 2010 the infant was taken to South Central Regional Medical Center with breathing problems and broken ribs. He was then transferred to University Medical Center in Jackson because of the severity of the injuries. The physicians report at UMC revealed that the trauma to the baby was does done by someone being physically abusive.
The investigation led authorities to name the father as a suspect. Mendez was questioned in 2010 about the case, but an arrest wasn't made.
"This case did not come to a closure until I interviewed him the other day on another charge," said Jamie Tedford, Investigative Division, Jones County Sheriff's Department. "After that case I basically interviewed the suspect and got a confession from him.
Mendez's bond was set at $250,000 cash. If convicted he faces a maximum of life in prison, plus thirty years.
