Police have arrested a Las Cruces man suspected of child abuse after his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son was admitted to a local hospital with multiple head injuries.
Zachary Tyler Ochoa, 20, of the 2200 block of Missouri Avenue, is charged with one count of child abuse resulting in great bodily harm.
At about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, Las Cruces Police were called to the report of possible child abuse that was discovered at Mountainview Regional Medical Center. Officers arrived at the hospital to find medical professionals caring for a 2-year-old boy with what appeared to be multiple injuries to his head.
Investigators learned that Ochoa’s 21-year-old girlfriend took her son to Mountainview after arriving home from work. Detectives also learned that Ochoa stayed home, babysitting the young boy, throughout the day.
While investigating the incident, Ochoa indicated to detectives that he became upset with the toddler for not picking up his toys. Investigators believe Ochoa struck the boy hard enough to cause injury to his head.
Besides the injuries to the boy’s head, investigators learned of several other injuries to the boy in various stages of healing. The investigation is ongoing.
The boy has since been released from Mountainview Regional Medical Center.
Ochoa was arrested early Wednesday morning and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $2,000.
Information from Las Cruces Police