Spring Hill teen accused of seriously injuring baby she wished wasn't in her care: HCSO

SPRING HILL, Florida. – A Spring Hill teenager is behind bars without bail after police accuse her of abusing a one-month-old baby.

Investigators say 19-year-old Arianna Renee Hamilton brought a toddler to Oak Hill Hospital on Sunday and told a nurse that the baby rolled out of bed and fell on the floor while she was changing his diaper.

However, officials said the nurse noticed that the one-month-old baby had suffered a head injury due to swelling.

According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, medical scans showed the baby had suffered multiple skull fractures that required advanced and specialized treatment, so he was flown by helicopter to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa.

Scans conducted at the Tampa hospital showed skull fractures, as well as fractures to both tibias and femurs and a broken collarbone, according to investigators. Officials said all of the injuries identified were in different stages of healing, meaning they occurred at different times.

READ: Suspect accused of opening fire on two Lakeland police officers arrested in Tampa

The infant's condition was classified as critical.

An investigator said Hamilton stated that she let go of “both hands” while changing the infant's diaper in bed, causing the infant to fall out of the bed and onto the hardwood floor.

Mug shot of Arianna Hamilton courtesy of Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

Hamilton told officials she was “too scared” to call 911, so she packed a baby bag and took the baby to Oak Hill Hospital.

When asked by the detective about other injuries to the baby, he replied that Hamilton could not give a reason for the numerous broken bones.

The investigator interviewed another family member who allegedly saw Hamilton yelling at the baby because it was crying. The relative told investigators that Hamilton said she “wished the baby wasn't in her care.”

According to HCSO, another relative showed the detective photos of the injured infant taken on different days that showed new injuries such as cuts, bruising and swelling. That family member told officers they confronted Hamilton about the injuries, but she could not say how the child was injured.

All those responsible for caring for the baby told detectives that the injuries did not occur under their supervision.

READ: 1 arrest made after road rage shooting that left young girl injured in Hillsborough County

The doctor who treated the toddler said several of the fractures appeared to be in varying stages of healing, which HCSO said indicated “sustained abuse.”

Additional scans are needed to confirm whether the skull fractures/brain hemorrhages are healing.

Officers executing a search warrant said the bed where the baby was allegedly changed showed no signs of a recent diaper change and no dirty clothes and/or diapers had been discarded in any of the trash cans in the room. They added that any items used to change a baby were located in another room.

During questioning by detectives, Hamilton admitted, according to HCSO, that he was frustrated and squeezed the baby too hard, which caused the broken bones.

Hamilton was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse and child neglect.

The sheriff's office said it could not disclose Hamilton's relationship to the child to protect the baby's identity.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Hernando County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-990-8477 or **TIPS from a cell phone.

Tipsters remain anonymous and may be eligible for a $5,000 cash reward.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: