In re M.A. CA3

BACKGROUND

The 2018 Case and Associated Criminal Conviction I.H. was born to mother at 28 weeks and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In December 2018, when I.H. was approximately seven months old, mother brought him to the emergency room with a fever, cough, and chest pain. X-rays revealed broken ribs in various stages of healing. I.H. also had multiple crescent-shaped, deep abrasions on both flanks, abdomen, and below the breastbone. Before mother was told about the broken ribs, she suggested I.H.’s injuries were caused by a puppy, which they no longer had, and denied that he had been exposed to trauma. After learning of the fractures, mother gave inconsistent reasons for the injuries, such as the puppy, an issue with a car seat, and cosleeping with I.H. at her feet. She was unable to provide a date that he was injured. According to a child abuse expert, these causes were inconsistent with the nature of I.H.’s injuries, which indicated intentional physical abuse. The expert opined the rib fractures were consistent with squeezing or compression of the chest and the crescent abrasions were likely fingernail imprints caused by that squeezing. I.H.’s injuries…