Inset left to right: Katerin Monzon-Alvarado and Oscar Pineda (Baltimore Police Department). Background: MedStar Harbor Hospital in Baltimore, Md. (Google Maps).
Two parents are behind bars in Maryland after authorities say their 2-month-old daughter died with brain trauma and skull fractures.
Katerin Monzon-Alvarado and Oscar Pineda, both 21, have been charged with first- and second-degree child abuse, first- and second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment, the Baltimore Police Department announced.
"Additional homicide charges are pending the outcome of the autopsy report," police added.
On Wednesday, Sept. 9, at about 1 a.m., police said they responded to MedStar Harbor Hospital in Baltimore due to a report of an infant's death. Officers were told 2-month-old Aida Alvarado was dead.
"Members of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner responded and recovered the infant's remains," the police department said. "Preliminary findings indicate that the infant suffered trauma to the body."
Aida had bruising around her eyes and jawline that raised hospital employees' suspicions, local CBS affiliate WJZ reported. The examination found the child had head and brain trauma and multiple skull fractures.
Detectives went to the victim's home and detained Monzon-Alvarado and Pineda. They were then interviewed.
Pineda reportedly told investigators his daughter was hurt because of "a supernatural force or Satan slamming a door on the child." Monzon-Alvarado, on the other hand, apparently blamed another one of her children.
She said her 2-year-old son often jumps on the bed, and when he did so, Aida fell onto the floor, according to police. However, authorities say a single fall from the bed could not have caused the girl's injuries.
Both defendants allegedly conceded they noticed the baby's bruises on Sunday, and that she began vomiting a day later.
However, they waited until the girl was unresponsive on Wednesday to get her medical help, police added. The defendants were then arrested and jailed.