A Simi Valley woman who worked as a nanny for a Santa Monica family has been arrested after detectives say she physically abused an infant who later ended up in the hospital. Authorities identified the suspect as 65-year-old Carolina Cobian and say prosecutors have filed a felony child endangerment charge. Cobian has been released on bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on May 28 at the Airport Courthouse.
According to investigators, the case began when the infant was taken to a Los Angeles-area hospital on April 7. Medical staff found no life-threatening injuries, but the report triggered a police investigation. Officers located and arrested Cobian on April 15, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney filed one felony count of child endangerment (PC 273a(a)) on April 24. She remains out on bail. Because the case involves a minor, the department is limiting the release of additional details while the investigation continues, according to a Santa Monica Police Department press release.
Police Seek Other Victims And Witnesses
Detectives have released a photo of Cobian and are asking any families that employed her, or anyone else with information, to contact investigators. The department listed Detective Lizette Hardgrave ([email protected]) and Detective Sergeant George Burciaga ([email protected]) as points of contact for tips and concerns. The outreach effort was detailed by CBS Los Angeles.
Charges, Court Date And What The Law Says
Cobian is due in court for arraignment on May 28 at the Airport Courthouse. The Santa Monica Police Department says the victim is no longer in the suspect’s care and that the investigation remains active, according to the department's press release.
The charge was filed under Penal Code Section 273a(a). In cases involving circumstances likely to produce great bodily harm or death, that section can carry state prison terms of two, four or six years. Lesser circumstances may be charged as misdemeanors under the statute, per the text of California Penal Code 273a. Police say they are continuing to investigate and are urging anyone with information to contact detectives.
