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PD: Teen dad arrested after 4-month-old suffers bruising to face

Sergio Morales Hernandez.jpg
Posted at 10:42 AM, Sep 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-10 13:42:55-04

PHOENIX — A teenage father was arrested after his 4-month-old was seen by doctors with bruising to his entire right side of his face.

Phoenix police report that Monday afternoon, 19-year-old Sergio Morales Hernandez brought his 4-month-old son to Phoenix Children's hospital saying he fell off the bed and hit the tile floor.

Members of the Child Safety Team examined the child and found "bruising to the entire right side of his face," and a torn frenulum, the ridge of tissue underneath the tongue.

The team suspected abuse and police interviewed Hernandez, who allegedly told them "he was frustrated and didn't know what to do."

Police say Hernandez dropped the boy on the bed and pulled him up by the feet, causing his head to hit an X-box controller and a fan.

He also allegedly admitted to "forcing the bottle into the minor victim's mouth while being frustrated and trying to feed him," court records show.

Hernandez was arrested for child abuse. His next court date is September 17.

If you suspect a child is being abused, the Arizona Department of Child Services has resources available to report the issue to a social worker. You can call the Arizona Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445), and will be asked for information about the child, as well as the nature of your concerns. You can also get more information from DCS about reporting abuse or neglect online.