Grandmother, her daughter, charged with child abuse
The mother and grandmother of baby Christian, the 5-week-old infant critically injured allegedly at the hands of his teen-age mother, were indicted Friday in connection with the aggravated case of child abuse.
Anias Ramirez, 17, was indicted on the charge of aggravated child abuse while her mother, Ivellisee Machado Rodriguez, 34, was indicted on the charge of aggravated child neglect.
Ramirez faces the charges, which could net her 15 to 25 years in prison, for injuries her baby suffered earlier this year after she allegedly shook and threw the baby onto a bed. According to doctors, baby Christian suffered severe brain injuries which will likely cause permanent impairment.
The baby, who spent weeks in the hospital, is now in state care. Ramirez was transferred to adult court following a transfer hearing in juvenile court last month. Had Ramirez stayed under juvenile jurisdiction, she could not have been held past her 19th birthday. Ramirez has reportedly confessed to shaking and throwing the baby.
Ramirez’s mother faces her charges for allegedly not taking the baby for treatment even though prosecutors says she knew, or should have known, the baby was suffering from a brain injury. The grandmother was a nurse’s aide and had the baby at her house shortly after the child was injured. She maintains she had no way of knowing the child had been hurt.
Both suspects remain held in lieu of bond, with Ramirez held in a youth facility due to her under-age status.