Photo: Patricia Pichardo and Hebiernes Muro
An 8 month old baby was admitted to a local hospital in Tulare County for breathing difficulties, and an examination revealed he was suffering from multiple broken ribs as well as fractures to his left arm. The injuries were reported to authorities and the child was transferred to Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera for surgery.
A child abuse specialist at Valley Children’s informed detectives the injuries were caused by blunt force trauma and that the child bore evidence of past abuse.
Detectives of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children Unit began a week long investigation which resulted with the arrest of the child’s parents: 27- year old Patricia Pichardo (aka Patricias Pichardo – Celaya), and 25-year old Hebiernes Muro (aka Muro – Arias), both residents of Richgrove.
The child was recently released from the hospital into the care of child welfare services.
Photos from TCSO
