A Westwood toddler is at the center of a disturbing criminal case after Cincinnati investigators say the three-year-old landed in the hospital with multiple broken bones, a lacerated liver and dental damage so severe that several teeth had to be surgically removed.
According to court filings, the boy’s injuries were serious enough that doctors flagged a pattern that did not look like a one-time accident, and the child now needs ongoing medical care.
Charges Filed In Westwood
WKRC Local 12 reports that 32-year-old Romeo Perez-Mendez has been charged with felonious assault and child endangering. Prosecutors allege in court papers that Perez-Mendez physically abused the child over a period of months.
His girlfriend, Angelica Aguilar-Marroquin, is charged with two counts of child endangerment. She is accused of failing to get the boy the necessary dental treatment, according to the same filings.
Neighborhood Context
The case unfolds in a neighborhood that has already seen tough scrutiny over child safety this year. As reported by WLWT, a separate 2024 Westwood investigation led to an indictment after a toddler died, a reminder that local authorities are still working through a series of high-profile child abuse cases in the area.
What Court Papers Say About The Child’s Injuries
Court documents reviewed by WKRC Local 12 state that the three-year-old suffered multiple fractures and a lacerated liver. Several teeth were surgically removed, and the child was hospitalized for treatment.
Investigators allege in the filings that the injuries developed over time rather than from a single incident, a key detail that underpins the felony-level charges.
Legal Implications
Under Ohio law, felonious assault can be charged when a person knowingly causes serious physical harm, with stricter penalties in cases that involve young children. Endangering children is a separate crime that can be elevated to a felony when the conduct results in serious physical harm. The statutory language and penalty ranges are set out in Ohio Revised Code §2903.11 and §2919.22.
What’s Next
Formal arraignments and upcoming hearings will be scheduled through the Hamilton County courts as prosecutors move the case forward. Members of the public who want to follow developments can search for case entries, filings and hearing dates through the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts records search once details are added to the docket.
