SAN BERNARDINO – A 21-year-old mother was arrested on charges of cruelty to her six-month-old daughter on Thursday afternoon.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Taylen O’Neal-Taylor’s residence in the 26000 block of Baseline Street, along with fire department/paramedic assistance, shortly before 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 30.
Reports that O’Neal-Taylor’s two-year-old daughter had fallen on her six-month-old daughter’s leg proved questionable to responding medical experts. Officials said it was the mother that had called 911. The six-month-old was taken by ambulance to the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital where X-rays and other tests revealed a fractured femur.
O’Neal-Taylor, 21, gave information to those checking on her daughter, according to reports, that turned out to be “inconsistent” with her explanation on how the injury actually had occurred, according to Det. Jason Frey, part of the Specialized Investigations Division-Crimes Against Children Detail. Suspicion of child abuse was confirmed when additional examinations revealed prior fractures to the six-month-old’s legs which, according to reports, raised suspicion to investigators.
The victim, whose identity is confidential, is being held in child protective services, though still in medical care. O’Neal-Taylor, arrested four days later on charges of willful cruelty to a child causing injury, was booked into the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino. Her bail was set at $100,000. She had been taken into custody at her home on Baseline Street.
Authorities did not declare O’Neal-Taylor’s marital status, or identify the father of the two daughters, nor did they disclose the whereabouts of the two-year-old daughter. O’Neal-Taylor, according to law enforcement officials, will likely appear in court early next week.
Read More:
ABC7: San Bernardino mom arrested for baby’s broken leg
Press Enterprise: Abuse suspect in infant’s injuries
