CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Clearwater woman has been charged with child abuse after her young son was hospitalized.
- Woman, 21, facing child abuse charges
- Her 6-month-old son hospitalized with brain bleeds
- Detectives: Paola Yanis Perez admitted to hurting child
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Paola Yanis Perez, 21, is facing charges of aggravated child abuse with great bodily harm.
Detectives said an investigation began Tuesday after a 6-month-old child was admitted to All Children's Hospital with multiple brain bleeds.
Detectives say paramedics transported the child to the hospital after a family friend noticed the child vomited, was crying excessively, and was stiff and shaking in his sleep.
Paola Yanis Perez, 21, is facing charges of aggravated child abuse with great bodily harm. (Pinellas County Jail)
Doctors said the child had substantial hemorrhaging on the brain from multiple traumatic incidents, including a fresh hemorrhage. Detectives interviewed Perez; the child's father, 25-year-old Guillermo Torres; and witnesses.
They said there were inconsistencies in Perez's statements.
During a later interview at the Sheriff's Office in Largo, authorities said Perez admitted to detectives that on at least two occasions, she was frustrated with the child when she forcefully grabbed the boy, causing the child's head to jerk back and forth, without supporting his head.
Detectives arrested Perez and transported her to the Pinellas County Jail. She's charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse with great bodily harm.
The child remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition.