PD: Woman arrested for shaking, hurting baby in Phoenix

PHOENIX - Police say an 11-month-old girl is in extremely critical condition Wednesday after her mother shook her in Phoenix.

According to Phoenix police Sgt. Tommy Thompson, hospital staff called officers over to a local hospital around 9 p.m. when the girl’s injuries were not consistent with the mother’s explanation.

Detectives discovered through their investigation that 21-year-old Maria A. Rivera, who lives near McDowell Road and 34th Street, shook her baby and waited 1.5 hours before seeking any medical attention.

See court documents.

When she finally sought help, she called her mother and not 911, according to court papers.

"She seemed like a very caring person. She seemed like a pretty good mother, so it's very hard to believe that she would even do something like that," said Jacqueline Luna, Rivera's neighbor.

The baby has severe head trauma and low brain function, court documents said. She also reportedly has a human bite mark on her thigh.

Court papers showed that she's not expected to survive.

"You should never put your hands on your children like that. That's just horrible," Luna said.

Rivera was booked into the Maricopa County Jail and has been charged with two counts of child abuse.

Rivera has two other children, a 1-month-old and a 2-year-old, who are now with Child Protective Services.

Her sister’s child who was in the custody of Rivera’s mother is also with CPS.