When Child Protective Services placed a 4-month-old baby in the care of 25-year-old Angelica Jimenez, she didn't bother to tell the CPS caseworker that her convicted felon boyfriend was living with her. In fact, she told CPS he doesn't live with her.
But 30-year-old Steven Saldana, who police say has a vast criminal history, does live with her -- and he allegedly used the 4-month-old baby as an ashtray; police found a cigarette burn on her body, which is nothing compared to the 14 broken bones the girl suffered, allegedly at his hands. Not to mention the multiple bruises and abrasions found all over the girl's body.
Luckily, the baby lived.
According to the Chandler Police Department, the baby was rushed to the
hospital on August 3, after Jimenez discovered she wasn't breathing.
Doctors resuscitated the girl -- then the discovered the apparent abuse.
Jimenez initially told police she was alone with the baby when the girl
stopped breathing. Family crimes detectives later learned that was a
lie, and that Saldana was also in the apartment.
Turns out, Saldana started abusing the baby on July 31. Jimenez never
reported the abuse to police, and even let Saldana return to the
apartment.
Chandler Detective Seth Tyler tells New Times it's unclear why
CPS placed the baby in Jimenez's care. He believes she's a friend of the
baby's mother, who recently lost custody of the girl, although, it's
unclear why.
Jimenez was booked on one count each of child abuse and hindering
prosecution. Saldana was booked on three counts of child abuse.
We hope to speak with CPS later in the day. Check back for updates.
