HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Veronica Sanchez, 31, faced a Miami-Dade County judge in bond court Friday on child abuse charges. Those charges have since been upgraded to aggravated child abuse charges.
Police say the victim is her 3-year-old daughter.
According to the arrest report, Sanchez took the toddler to a hospital to be treated for an injury to her head, but the report states after the doctor examined her, she was found to have 15 body fractures, both old and new, and various bruises around her body.
Police say the doctor noted even more injuries when speaking with detectives. While he could not confirm with complete certainty, the doctor said it appeared the victim had a bite mark to the back and possible cigarette burn scars to the back.
Local 10 News reporter Roy Ramos went to Sanchez’s home Friday, but no one answered, however, children’s toys were spotted in the front yard.
Neighbors were shocked and saddened to hear what had happened.
“She’s just a child and defenseless,” said one woman, while others said mothers are supposed to protect their children not hurt them.
Sanchez is now being held on a $15,000 bond. If she is to bond out, she will have to wear a GPS monitoring device and be placed on house arrest.