Dad arrested for abusing 3-year-old daughter during his custody time; girl had bruised swollen face and bloody nose (Farmington, New Mexico)

Wonder how many times the kids have come back bruised and bloodied after "parenting time" with Daddy? I'm guessing quite a few.

The reporter states that the couple have been in a "child-custody battle" since 2000. Fourteen long years.

The language suggests that it's a "dispute" with both parties battling it out. Actually, "child-custody battles" that last that long are typically not just spiteful people. More often than not, they involve a protective parent trying to keep the kids safe from an abuser. Given that Daddy has no explanation for the child's injuries, that appears to be the case here.

Dad is identified as DON MARTINEZ.

http://www.abqjournal.com/481535/news/san-juan-county-adult-detention-center-guard-arrested-on-suspicion-of-child-abuse.html

San Juan County Adult Detention Center guard arrested on suspicion of child abuse

By Steve Garrison / The Daily Times
PUBLISHED: Friday, October 17, 2014 at 8:42 am

FARMINGTON — A 43-year-old guard at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center has been arrested for allegedly slapping his 3-year-old daughter. The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office has referred child abuse charges against Aztec resident Don Martinez to the district attorney’s office, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.

Deputies were dispatched Wednesday morning to meet with the mother of Martinez’s children, the release states. The mother told deputies her daughter returned from her father’s home on Monday with a bloody nose and a bruised, swollen cheek.

Detectives saw the injuries and scheduled a forensic interview with the girl, the release states.

The girl told investigators her half-brother opened some of their father’s Star Wars collectible toys, and her father became enraged and slapped her, according to the release.

Martinez denied causing the injuries but had no explanation for how they occurred, the release states.

According to court records, Martinez has been involved in a child-custody battle with his wife since 2000.