A 34-year-old father in Massachusetts is facing serious felony charges for the alleged murder of his 4-year-old daughter, with medical experts stating that the injuries to her skull resembled those from a two-story fall.
Last week, Francisco Ortiz was arrested and faces multiple charges, including assault and battery on a child with substantial injury, permitting substantial injury to a child, assault and battery, two counts of permitting injury to a child, and reckless endangerment of a child, according to records.
Officers from the Worcester Police Department responded to a report at Ortiz’s home around 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 15, concerning a 4-year-old child who was found unresponsive after falling on the floor. When they got to the location, authorities reported that first responders were allowed into the residence by Ortiz, the sole adult there at that moment.
Ortiz reportedly informed authorities that the victim “had fallen off a kitchen table.” Officials found the victim, who remained unresponsive, and initiated lifesaving efforts until paramedics arrived to take her to UMass Hospital for care. The child tragically passed away from her injuries shortly after reaching the facility.
Authorities and medical personnel reported that the victim had noticeable bruises in multiple areas on her body. When questioned about the bruises, Ortiz reportedly claimed they were caused by the victim “falling off the table multiple times in the past,” and noted that she “used a chair to reach the table.”
According to the affidavit, two additional children, aged 2 and 6, living with Ortiz, exhibited indications of physical abuse.
Ortiz was in court on Wednesday, where a judge determined he poses a potential risk if released on bond, resulting in an order for him to be held for 120 days. In the hearing, Assistant District Attorney Courtney Sans disclosed unsettling information regarding the child’s death, according to Boston Fox affiliate WFXT.
Sans discussed the initial officers who arrived at the scene, noting their observations regarding the victim. He mentioned that she was wearing only a shirt, was otherwise unclothed from the waist down, and had feces on parts of her body. Additionally, he stated that the child had some bleeding from her mouth and lips.
Sans has shared more information regarding the seriousness of the injuries sustained by the victim.
“The child’s bruises were significant injuries, including her left eye, her left and right earlobe, both sides of her neck and chin, her left and right arms, across her upper chest, her abdomen, both hips, her knees, her lower legs, her feet, as well as abrasions on her back,” Sans reportedly said. “The force required for that type of skull fracture would not have been associated with a fall of approximately five feet from a table in the home but would have been akin to a fall from a higher level.”
An autopsy revealed that the victim’s skull injuries matched those expected from a fall from two stories, according to the prosecutor, as reported by Telegram & Gazette.
Ortiz has entered a not-guilty plea regarding the charges and is set to return to court on November 20, 2024.