Mother ‘snapped eight of her baby daughter’s bones’
Melanie Petersen, 25, was arrested this week after authorities discovered the devastating injuries her 21-month-old daughter
A mother snapped eight of her baby daughter’s bones in a horrific case of child abuse, police said.
Melanie Petersen, 25, was arrested this week after authorities discovered the devastating injuries her 21-month-old daughter sustained – allegedly at the hands of her own mother -in Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Police began investigating after the child was reported to have suffered a forearm fracture. An X-ray showed the fracture was days-old when the child was brought into the hospital.
The youngster was transported to a hospital in Tuscon and a team of doctors specializing in child abuse discovered the girl had ten injuries including eight bone fractures in various stages of healing.
Petersen was taken into custody on Monday and charged with 24 felony counts, including eight counts each of domestic violence child abuse, domestic violence aggravated assault and endangerment.
According to KOLD, the Arizona Department of Child Safety is working with the Sierra Vista Police Department, which conducted numerous interviews with medical staff, family members and acquaintances as part of their investigation.
It is unclear when Petersen is due back in court.