HIALEAH, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida couple was arrested and placed behind bars after, police said, their 2-month-old children showed signs of physical abuse.
Twenty-three-year-old Adrian Cordovi and 27-year-old Dayana Sosa appeared in bond court on Friday afternoon, one day after police took them into custody. The Hialeah residents are each facing five counts of aggravated child abuse.
According to investigators, the parents brought in their daughter to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Police said the infant would not stop crying when her right leg area was touched.
A physical examination revealed the infant had an acute leg fracture and two broken ribs in different stages of healing.
After realizing the child has a twin brother, the pediatrician examined him and found multiple shinbone fractures, also in different stages of healing.
Police arrested Cordovi and Sosa, who are the sole caretakers of the children, Thursday night.
The couple’s defense attorney argued the infants’ injuries could have been caused during childbirth. “They could have been birth-related,” said Barry Wax. “It’s very interesting that the children have before.”
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer replied, “I’ve heard that legal argument before in these types of cases.”
“Yes, and I believe it more of a factual argument,” said Wax.
At juvenile court, Friday afternoon, the children’s aunt testified that she wants temporary custody and visits the family often. “Sometimes, when [the parents] are busy [I am] there, so, extra help,” she said. I call and say, ‘Listen, do you need some food? I can buy some food,’ and I take it there.”
However, a judge ordered the children to remain in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families until officials conduct a study of the aunt’s home. “These injuries are extreme, and obviously, the court will note that the little girl, 2 and a half months old, cried and her injury was tender,” said Judge Mavel Ruiz.
The judge asked a doctor with the Child Protection Team whether there is another explanation for the infants’ injuries. “Are those fractures possibly caused from childbirth?” said Ruiz.
“They’re not as old. They’re more recent than childbirth,” said the doctor.
Bond was set at $20,000 for Cordovi and $10,000 for Sosa. However, both have bonded out of jail.
A custody hearing for the children has been set for Jan. 3.
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