A 22-year-old man was under the influence of heroin when he was taken into custody Tuesday for allegedly injuring a 3-month-old boy at a home in Rancho Cucamonga, authorities said.
Josue Mejia was arrested and booked on suspicion of willful cruelty to a child and being under the influence of a controlled substance, according to a news release issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
A deputy responded about 11:02 p.m. to San Antonio Regional Hospital regarding a report of an infant with cuts and bruises on his face, the statement said.
The victim’s mother told investigators that she was outside her home, in the 8550 block of Calaveras Avenue, when her 10-year-old daughter told told her that the boy was injured.
The woman entered the home and found Mejia holding the infant, the Sheriff’s Department said, adding that she later claimed the child sustained injuries after falling from a bed.
According to the news release, hospital personnel concluded the victim’s wounds were “inconsistent with a fall and believed there were caused by blunt force trauma.”
Mejia “cleaned” the scene at the Calaveras Avenue residence before deputies arrived and found him to be under the influence of heroin, with a blood stain on his jeans, sheriff’s officials said. The pants were subsequently collected as evidence.
The suspect was transported to the Rancho Cucamonga police station, where he was interviewed by detectives and then placed under arrest.
San Bernardino County’s Children and Family Services agency was notified of the matter and expected to conduct a follow-up evaluation.
Anyone with information was asked to call the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department at 909-477-2800. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call 800-782-7463 or visit wetip.com.
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