INDIANAPOLIS -- A woman is charged with battery and neglect after her 3-week-old daughter is left in critical condition after suffering serious injuries.
The girl, named Lydia, was taken to Riley Hospital For Children on Feb. 13 after her mother, Delfina Bautista, 25, told doctors the infant was having trouble breathing, 6News' Derrik Thomas reported.
According to court documents, the baby has a fractured skull, cranial hemorrhage, fractured femur and retinal hemorrhage.
Bautista told police that she had sandwiched Lydia's legs between her thighs, possibly breaking the girl's leg.
But doctors said retinal hemorrhaging is often a sign of abuse.
"They are really only seen in non-accidental trauma, in shaken baby syndrome. It's not seen in anything else," said Dr. Michael Turner, a pediatric neurosurgeon.
A preliminary plea of not guilty was entered on Bautista's behalf on Monday.
Prosecutors said they were disturbed by the accusations.
"I see way too many of these cases," said Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi. "I don't know if we are doing a better job of identifying them, or if we are experiencing more violence like this."
Bautista was being held on $80,000. Her trial is scheduled for April 28.
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