A young Garner couple is behind bars after police say their 6-month-old baby was found with broken ribs.
Authorities say 21-year-old Daniel Santamaria and 20-year-old Lucinda Santamaria were arrested Monday and taken into custody on July 6. Both are being held without bond, and their first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., according to officials.
What police allege
According to WRAL, arrest warrants claim the Santamarias abused their infant, and that medical examinations documented the broken ribs. The warrants reportedly charge the pair with two counts of felony intentional child abuse and two counts of felony negligent child abuse, all listed as inflicting bodily injury.
How this fits locally
The case lands in a town already on edge over child-abuse investigations. Garner has seen several recent cases draw public scrutiny, and local officials have faced mounting pressure over how such allegations are handled. The News & Observer previously reviewed search warrants in a separate Garner toddler case that alleged long-running abuse, highlighting just how closely these cases are watched in Wake County.
Legal next steps
The charges remain allegations at this stage. The Santamarias are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court. The case will proceed through Wake County courts as prosecutors decide how to move forward and as judges schedule additional hearings, according to WRAL.
Garner police have not released further details about what allegedly happened or when. This story will be updated as new court records and official statements become available.
