SANTA ANA (CNS) - An 18-year-old man was charged today with fracturing the skull of a 5-month-old relative because she wouldn't stop crying.
Luis Mercedes Baeza made his initial court appearance on a felony count of child abuse and endangerment, with a sentence-enhancing allegation of causing great bodily injury, but did not enter a plea. His arraignment was rescheduled to Nov. 16, according to court records. Baeza allegedly shook the infant last Thursday when she wouldn't stop crying and in the process struck her head on a metal headboard, fracturing her skull, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.
The baby's current condition was not immediately known.