Kern County deputies said on Wednesday that have arrested 2 parents of felony child abuse after a 3-month-old girl died.
Kern County Sheriff’ deputies said on December 20th, their deputies responded to Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield regarding a report of child abuse which had occurred in the 600 block of Curtis Drive.
KCSO said when they arrived, they were told by medical staff that a 3 month old infant girl had been brought to the hospital after having seizures and difficulty breathing.
KCSO officials said they were were able to contact the infant’s mother, 21-year old Erika Cervantes, at the hospital.
During the preliminary investigation deputies learned the 3 month old had a twin and two additional siblings, aged 1 ½ years and 3 years.
Deputies responded to the family’s residence and contacted the father, 24 year old Jesus Bautista.
Deputies checked the living conditions inside the home and found it to be infested with cockroaches and rodent feces.
Due to the condition of the home, detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Sexual Assault and Abuse Investigations Unit (SAAIU) responded and assumed the investigation.
Detectives served a search warrant at the home and interviewed several family members. The Department of Human Services was notified and took the twin infant and siblings into protective custody.
During the course of the investigation the condition of the infant worsened and she was transported to Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera.
Officials said on December 21st, the infant died at Valley Children’s Hospital.
As a result of the investigation, KCSO detectives developed probable cause to arrest Cervantes and Bautista for felony child abuse.
Cervantes and Bautista were arrested at Valley Children’s Hospital and later booked into the Sheriff’s Office Central Receiving Facility. Their bail has been set at $20,000 each.
An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause and manner of death. If anyone has information on this case they are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110 or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.
