Two Washington County residents are behind bars after deputies say a three-month-old infant showed up at a local hospital earlier this month with catastrophic head injuries. The baby was first treated at Meritus Medical Center, then flown to Children’s National in Washington, D.C., where doctors found a subdural hemorrhage and extensive retinal hemorrhaging, investigators said. Authorities identified the suspects as 23-year-old Dante Nova and 21-year-old Isabel Nova, who are currently held at the Washington County Detention Center.
Deputies were called to Meritus Medical Center on July 8 after hospital staff reported an infant with serious injuries, according to DC News Now. That outlet reports the baby was then transferred to Children’s National, where physicians documented intracranial bleeding and extensive retinal hemorrhaging. Investigators told the station they believe Dante Nova inflicted the injuries and that Isabel Nova knew about them and helped conceal what had happened.
Arrests and custody
Public booking logs list an Isabel Ariene Nova as booked on July 23, according to Recently Booked, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office maintains an Washington County Sheriff's Office inmate search and contact page for the detention center. Those records and local reporting indicate both suspects are being held at the Washington County Detention Center. The jail’s public listings include booking dates and basic charge information, while detailed filings and court appearances are processed through the judiciary.
Charges alleged
According to DC News Now, Isabel Nova faces charges that include child neglect, reckless endangerment, accessory after the fact and first-degree child abuse resulting in severe physical injury, along with accessory counts tied to assault. Dante Nova is charged with first-degree child abuse resulting in severe physical injury, second-degree child abuse by a custodian, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and neglect of a minor.
What the law says
Maryland law classifies child abuse that causes severe physical injury as first-degree child abuse, a felony that can carry prison terms of up to 25 years and that expressly defines “severe physical injury” to include brain injury or bleeding within the skull under the state code. Justia notes that accessory after the fact is also a felony in Maryland and can bring penalties tied to the seriousness of the underlying offense. Prosecutors are expected to apply those statutory definitions as they review the evidence and decide how to move forward.
Medical context
Medical experts say the combination of a subdural hemorrhage and extensive retinal hemorrhages in a young infant is highly concerning for abusive head trauma. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control have noted that these kinds of findings frequently trigger evaluations for possible nonaccidental injury and can lead to long-term neurological consequences. In such situations hospitals and child-protective services typically coordinate with law enforcement to protect the child while medical and legal investigations continue, and clinicians rely on imaging, ophthalmologic exams and the full clinical history to guide next steps.
What happens next
The Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office will review the sheriff’s investigation and decide whether to seek indictments, with initial court steps and filings made available through the Maryland courts. Family and child-protective services remain involved in the infant’s care while detectives and prosecutors build the case. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
