A couple has been charged in Summit County with heinous crimes involving an infant in their care, according to cleveland.com. Jason T. Santos and Jamilee Hunt, both 37, face multiple charges, including rape and felonious assault, after an 11-month-old girl was found with severe injuries at the Red Roof Inn in Springfield Township.
The situation unfolded on November 22 when Springfield Township police officers and fire department workers arrived at the motel following a 911 call about an unresponsive baby. The infant was revived by first responders but had suffered "multiple fractures of her arms, legs, and ribs with extensive bruising all over her body and additional injuries to her internal organs," as stated in a news release from Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich. The baby was also discovered to have injuries consistent with sexual assault, according to the medical staff at the hospital, where her condition is reportedly improving. Santos and Hunt were indicated to be responsible for the child's care at the time of the injuries, which was detailed in a report by WKYC.
Both suspects have a bond set at $1 million each and are being held at the Summit County Jail. Hunt faces an additional charge due to a prior conviction for an offense involving negligence and abuse toward a child. "These were horrific crimes against a baby and my office will work hard to hold these offenders accountable," Kolkovich said, expressing gratitude for the life-saving actions of first responders, in a statement obtained by Cleveland19.
Investigations by Springfield Township police also revealed that, before this incident, there had been an interaction between the police, Santos, and Hunt at a Kohl's store, which did not appear to involve any harm to the child at the time. However, Detective John Simms said that Santos and Hunt provided false information regarding the infant's injuries, blaming each other and their dog before eventually being detained and charged. "There's no way you can look at her and tell us you didn't know she was injured," Simms told WKYC while commenting on the lack of concern Santos showed for his daughter's wellbeing.
