PHOENIX — A mother came home to find her 21-month old son stiff, beaten and bruised after being left in the care of a babysitter, according to court documents obtained by ABC15.
Phoenix police report that Tuesday morning, the child's mother went to work, leaving 29-year-old Andrew Christopher Plummer in charge of her three children.
When she returned home that evening, she reportedly found the 21-month-old victim sleeping on top of his sibling. She told the sibling to put the toddler to bed.
Several hours later, she went to check on the victim and she found him "stiff and bruised on the left side of his face." His eyes were bruised and swollen, according to court documents.
The mother confronted Plummer, who denied hurting the child and left the home.
The victim was taken to Phoenix Children's Hospital where doctors say he suffered from two broken lower leg bones, brain bruising and swelling, and bruising to his arms, legs, and face.
Police interviewed the victim's siblings who reportedly told police that they saw Plummer strike the child. One witness also said the victim "was breathing weird."
Plummer, who stands 6-foot 4-inches and weighs about 240 pounds, was arrested for child abuse early the next morning at an apartment complex near 19th Avenue and Bell Road.
If you suspect a child is being abused, the Arizona Department of Child Services has resources available to report the issue to a social worker. You can call the Arizona Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445), and will be asked for information about the child, as well as the nature of your concerns. You can also get more information from DCS about reporting abuse or neglect online.
