LONGMONT, Colo. – A man was arrested Tuesday and is facing attempted murder charges in connection to a possible case of child abuse in Longmont.
Cristian Hernandez, 22, is being held at the Boulder County Jail on a $1 million bond.
Longmont police, the city’s fire department and AMR went to the Lamplighter Motel, located at 1642 Main St., to check out a report of a child having difficulty breathing in reference to a possible child abuse.
The child, a 2-year-old girl, was flown to Children’s Hospital in Denver, officials. Police on Wednesday said the girl suffered a significant brain injury and fractured ribs.
The child's mother said Hernandez, her boyfriend, became abusive toward her and the child and that he had been spanking the child with a leather belt for two weeks, said Jeff Satur, police spokesman. Satur said Hernandez admitted to police that he hit the girl with his belt and hands on at least 10 different occasions but he claimed her injuries were from falling off the bed.
Police said Hernandez is facing several charges, including: attempted murder, knowingly reckless child abuse, criminal attempt, domestic violence, third-degree assault, second-degree assault, two counts of child abuse, and false imprisonment.