DANIEL A. TORRES
WESTFIELD – An eight-month-old infant is brain-dead in hospital and bail has been set for her father at $1,000,000.
Daniel A. Torres, 28, of 14 Parker Ave., Apt 3, Westfield, was arraigned on charges which include assault and battery on a child with substantial injury in Westfield District Court Monday.
In a criminal complaint filed at the court, Westfield Det. Richard Mazza reports on his investigation into a 911 call reporting a baby who was “unresponsive and not breathing”.
Mazza reports that on Saturday the infant had been in the sole care of her father, Torres, from about 9 a.m. until the 911 call was made about 2:30 p.m.
Mazza wrote that at the hospital the baby’s father “initially stated that he was not aware the victim was even injured” and thereafter said repeatedly that he did not know how his daughter had been injured. At the police department later, Torres reportedly changed his account of the incident and told police “he accidentally struck the victim while playing with her on the floor”. He next said “that he slapped the victim in a fit of frustration.”
The baby was initially taken to Baystate Noble Hospital where, Mazza reports, she was “resuscitated at least six times as her pulse was unstable and her heart continued to stop and start.” The baby was then transferred to Baystate Medical Center
At the hospital, the medical staff “were able to treat the infant and stabilize her to some degree” but reported “significant swelling of the brain, retinal hemorrhages and bruises to her face that were consistent with abuse trauma.” They also reported red marks on her forehead consistent with a hand print, a large bruise on her temple and a bruise on her right shin.
Mazda reports that Torres said “that after he struck the victim, he tried to comfort her before he put her down for a ‘nap’ ” and called 911 “after several hours”. Mazza noted that “the victim was struck with such force that several hours later marks consistent with a hand print were easily seen on the victims (sic) face.”
Doctors told police, Mazza reports, “That it was unlikely that the infant would recover and that there was almost no brain function at all.” Mazza was also told that “the infant was on life support as medical authorities stated that she would not survive without it.”
Torres was arraigned before Judge William O’Grady Monday morning on charges of assault and battery on a child with substantial injury, assault and battery, reckless endangerment of a child and intimidating a witness, juror, police or court official.
He was held in lieu of $1,000,000 cash bail pending an Aug. 28 hearing.
Although Torres was arraigned in district court, that court does not have final jurisdiction for the charge of assault and battery on a child so that charge, at least, will have to be adjudicated in superior court.
