National Police in Alicante detained a mother of a two‑month‑old during an early investigation into alleged abuse within the family and possible neglect of another young child. The baby was hospitalized after sustaining five fractured ribs, and authorities described the case as potential criminal abuse in the home environment and the temporary abandonment of a second child, according to sources familiar with the case.
The 27-year-old detainee denied deliberately causing the injuries. Medical staff at Alicante General Hospital, where the infant received care for about two weeks, suspected physical abuse after noting injuries that could not be explained as accidental. Hospital teams reportedly identified prior injuries as well, which triggered the mandatory reporting protocol followed by medical personnel in suspected abuse cases.
The Provincial Judicial Police Brigade, Family and Minor Unit (UFAM) Group II, opened an inquiry after the hospital’s warning on October 18. Investigators noted that neither the mother nor her romantic partner could explain how the injuries occurred in the two‑month‑old patient admitted at the start of October.
bruises
The mother subsequently visited the hospital and claimed that her daughter’s body carried bruises all over, appearing without any known impact, accident, or intentional harm.
National Police interviewers spoke with medical staff and the child’s relatives and concluded that abuse could be the cause of the injuries.
UFAM investigators found five broken ribs on the left side, varying in age, with other injuries on the right side that suggested prior damage. They also noted scars from earlier bruises on the child.
Earlier, authorities detained the girl’s mother at the beginning of September after an incident in which the child allegedly fell down stairs while in a stroller. The family reportedly did not seek medical inspection at that time. On another occasion, the child was brought to a health center in Alicante’s Northern District. Despite being referred to the General Hospital Emergencies, the mother did not have the infant evaluated and later claimed she had visited a pediatrician instead.
Protection of minors
As the abuse allegations and serious neglect claims emerged, the UFAM coordinated with the Regional Directorate of Equality and Inclusion Policies to ensure protective measures for the minor. The mother was detained in connection with the abuse inquiry.
The detained mother told investigators that she believed her daughter had never suffered accidental harm. She indicated she was unaware of the five fractured ribs until the trip to Alicante General Hospital.
The detained individual also has another young daughter, currently under the custody of her ex-partner due to issues such as unemployment and housing. Reports indicate authorities found mobile phone photographs showing earlier injuries to the infant, and surveillance footage from court proceedings in Alicante has been released for review. (official sources note the case continues under judicial process)