Police have arrested a 19-year-old stepmother, accused of injuring her 2-year-old stepdaughter.
Detective Eddie Garcia said Maria Lucia Martinez was taken into custody Tuesday at 9:28 a.m. and charged with injury to a child, intentional bodily injury. The offense is a third degree felony punishable by a prison term of from two to ten years and a fine of as much as $10,000 if the defendant is convicted.
Garcia said the suspect’s 2-year-old stepdaughter had 47 documented injuries on her body when medical experts examined her. Most of the injuries were bruises but there also was evidence of bone fractures.
The arrest warrant listed only six of the injuries.
The detective said he had been investigating the case since Aug. 8.
Martinez was taken before Municipal Judge Joe Salinas after she was arrested and he set her bond at $10,000.