Mesa woman arrested on suspicion of abusing 3-month-old son

Austin Westfall | Arizona Republic/azcentral.com

Show Caption Hide Caption When should you call DCS if you think a child is in danger? Arizona’s child-welfare agency says to call the child-abuse hotline if you reasonably believe that a child has been “abused, neglected, exploited or abandoned.”

An 18-year-old Mesa woman was arrested on suspicion of abusing and threatening to kill her 3-month son, officials said.

The alleged abuse first came to light on July 7, when Leticia Stella Palos and the infant's father brought the child to Cardon Children's Hospital in Mesa for a right arm injury, a court document submitted by Mesa Police shows.

But the doctor found more than a bone fracture in his arm. Police say, "bruises on the victim's right ear, right wrist and right leg and multiple healing fractures to the victims fourth, fifth and sixth ribs" were also found.

The doctor said the injuries caused concern that the child was abused, and the parents could not explain where the injuries came from. A child abuse forensic doctor reviewed the victims medical records and agreed the injuries were highly suspicious, according to the record.

In an interview at the hospital, Palos told police that she is the boy's primary caregiver. The father visits three to four times a week, officials said.

Palos' phone was surrendered to police, and an investigation found several disturbing messages sent to the father, the court document says.

"(Palos) makes multiple statements regarding (the infant) stating how she does not want to watch (the infant) and how she will leave him in the room," police said.

Police say Palos also sent the father recorded audio messages of her apparently shouting expletives at the child, threatening to hurt and kill him, and exclaiming that she didn't want him, among other things, the document states.

Other messages made references to Palos using "marijuana and acid," according to the report.

Police arrested Palos Wednesday morning and she was booked into Maricopa County Jail. Police are seeking two child abuse charges against her.

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