Infant fights for life after beating

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A man is accused of brutally beating his 5-week-old daughter to near death, leaving her with at least 29 fractures and injuries to her pelvis, clavicle and skull.

A police report obtained by Eyewitness News says the child's father, Christopher Jimenez, was woken up by the girl Wednesday morning when she made "gurgling noises," eventually turning blue and losing consciousness.

The child, Christina Gonzalez, was rushed to Hasbro Children's Hospital by ambulance where officials say she went into full cardiac arrest.

The infant's brain was swelling and bleeding and her skull was broken.

According to the report, the child was already healing from previous broken bones.

Jimenez has been arraigned on one count of first-degree child abuse. He was held on $100,000 bail with surety.

Family members tell Eyewitness News that the baby may not survive and if she does, she will likely be blind the rest of her life.

"If she lives, she might be blind or she might be a vegetable," said family friend Eduardo Hernandez.

"Not mad, just sad. One-hundred percent sad," said the girl's grandfather Maures Gonzalez.

DCYF is currently investigating the incident.