PINAL COUNTY, ARIZONA — A Pinal County woman is accused of severely abusing her partner's 8-year-old son in a child abuse case that detectives said was one of the worst they've investigated.
According to officials with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, on Sept. 8, they were alerted about a potential child abuse patient being treated at an area hospital.
The mother told medical staff that her son was hurt falling off his skateboard. Doctors believed the injuries were more consistent with abuse, and contacted law enforcement.
The child suffered multiple broken bones and internal organ injuries. PCSO officials said the boy's injuries were so severe, he needed to be flown to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for emergency surgery where he spent several weeks recovering.
Investigators believe he may have been injured up to two days before being taken to a hospital.
At that point, authorities said the mother’s partner, 29-year-old Claudia Genis, stopped cooperating with the investigation.
Detectives reportedly found evidence in Genis's phone that showed she was attempting to fabricate a story for law enforcement.
The boy, who was placed in the custody of the Arizona Department of Child Safety, later told investigators it was Genis who hurt him.
He said the abuse began when the COVID-19 pandemic started and he had to stay home from school.
Genis self-surrendered on Nov. 10 and was booked into the Pinal County Jail. She is being held on a $750,000 secured bond.
Authorities say the boy’s mother is cooperating and the investigation remains ongoing.
