Infant with Bone Fractures Recovering in Loma Linda is Victim of Alleged Abuse

An underweight infant girl with bone fractures is recovering at Loma Linda Children's Hospital from alleged felony child cruelty and felony child abuse at the hands of her teenage parents, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Law enforcement learned of the alleged crimes on Thursday Jan. 17 when they were called to St. Mary's Hospital in Apple Valley, deputies said in a news release distributed Friday evening.

The 5-month-old girl was "suffering from neglect and physical abuse," deputies said. "Detectives discovered the infant was suffering from extensive bone fractures to the ribs, and extremities."

Sheriff's personnel said the infant "had failure to thrive, was dehydrated, and weighed nine pounds."

She was transferred to Loma Linda Children's Hospital, where she "is currently being treated for major injuries to her body," deputies said in their statement dated Jan. 18.

The girl's 16-year-old mother, whose name was not released, was booked at Apple Valley Juvenile Detention Center, deputies said.

Daniel William Wescott, the girl's 18-year-old father, was booked at Victor Valley Jail and transferred to West Valley Detention Center, according to deputies and inmate records.

Both suspects were booked on suspicion of felony willful cruelty to a child and felony child abuse, deputies said.

Anyone with more information was urged to contact Detective McCormack at (760) 240-7400. Callers wishing to remain anonymous were urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or visit www.wetip.com.

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