Father suspected of abuse of baby arrested in Velez-Malaga

A 33-YEAR-OLD Nigerian man was arrested by National Police in Velez-Malaga after his son was admitted to the Axarquia Regional Hospital with a broken arm.

As well as the fracture, the four-month-old baby had several scratches, but a relative said they had been caused by a fall.

However, doctors suspected that the minor may be the victim of abuse as he had previously been admitted to the health centre for injuries to his side, a retinal haemorrhage and damage to the other arm. He was first admitted at 22 days old and his father had been arrested before suspected of abuse.

The doctors alerted the National Police and the father was again taken into custody, while the baby was taken into care by the Junta de Andalucia Equality and Social Welfare Department. The baby remains in hospital and the Junta is looking for a temporary foster family.

The detainee lives in Torre del Mar with the baby’s mother, a 39-year-old Spanish woman.

Photo credit: tm-tm