Mom: Baby's injuries were an 'accident'

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A five-week-old baby girl is fighting for her life after police say she was brutally beaten by her father. Now, the infant's mother, Myra Gonzalez, is defending the father of her baby saying, he would never harm the child.

Police say the baby, Christina Gonzalez, was rushed to Hasbro Children's Hospital by ambulance Wednesday morning where officials say she went into full cardiac arrest. The infant's brain was swelling and bleeding and her skull was broken.

Police say the girl's father, Christopher Jimenez, 26, beat the infant leaving her with 29 fractures. Jimenez has been charged with one count of first-degree child abuse.

The baby's mother, Myra, says Jimenez is a wonderful father and the injuries are just a tragic accident.

"She fell out of the blanket, she hit the coffee table and then she fell on the rug floor. That would explain the fracture in her head - not that he beat her up."

Doctor's are not sure whether or not the baby will survive.

"She might grow up to..she won't be able to walk, talk and see - basically a vegetable," said the child's mother.

The baby's uncle believes Jimenez didn't intentionally harm the child and wants him out of prison.

"It's very sad what happened to my niece. I love her so much. I want to see her. Hopefully, she can survive and I can spend more days with her," Geary Jimenez said.

According to the report, the child was already healing from previous broken bones when she was taken to the hospital.

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