A Salt Lake couple has been ordered to stand trial in the death of their 11-month-old girl.
Maria Hernandez, 22, and her live-in boyfriend, 23-year-old Alfredo F. Vargas, were ordered to appear for arraignment on charges of murder and child abuse Aug. 23 before 3rd District Judge Tyrone E. Medley.The child was found dead in the couple's Salt Lake apartment by paramedics in April.
The pair appeared at a preliminary hearing last week, at which Dr. William Palmer, the medical director of the Child Protection Team at Primary Children's Medical Center, testified the infant was a victim of battered child syndrome.
She suffered bruises on her face and head, brain swelling, bite marks on her arms, smashed fingers and a torn liver. Most of the injuries were consistent with multiple, powerful blows. The brain injury, for example, was comparable to a fall of several stories, Palmer said.
An autopsy showed the injuries were inflicted over several weeks. The cause of death was determined to be brain trauma due to shaking.