Father arrested, accused of injuring infant in 2014

The father of a boy who was severely injured at 5 weeks old two years ago has been arrested and charged with first-degree child assault.

The infant was taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center on June 28, 2014, where hospital staff immediately identified his injuries as “nonaccidental trauma,” according to court records. Doctors told investigators that the boy suffered a skull fracture, bleeding in the brain, seizures and “retinal hemorrhages too numerous to count,” according to court documents.

One doctor attributed the injuries to “a violent shaking event that included an impact of the skull.” The infant temporarily lost his vision and hearing as a result of his injuries. Doctors also noted healing rib fractures on the boy, according to court documents.

A lengthy investigation led to the arrest of Steven Garcia, 40.

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Deputy Mark Gregory said it took time to get the needed medical records, because new information surfaced during the investigation.

The child was removed from the home immediately and never returned, which meant that investigators could take the time to put together a solid case without worrying about the baby’s safety, Gregory said.

Prosecuting attorney Kelly Fitzgerald said cases involving very young victims are difficult because they can’t testify, meaning such cases rely more on medical records and other documents. She had been working with the Sheriff’s Office to prepare the case for several months before charges were filed last week, Fitzgerald said.

“There was an ongoing investigation throughout the entire time,” she said.

The infant’s mother told investigators and others multiple stories about how he was injured, according to court documents.

One family member told investigators that the mother was “controlled” by Garcia and she would do whatever he wanted, including covering up for him, according to court documents.

The mother told investigators she was aware Garcia had been convicted of assaulting one of his children in 2003 in Moses Lake, but said Garcia told her it was for rolling over on his 2-month-old child. However, court documents in that case revealed that the child suffered a fractured skull, fractured ribs and a broken femur.

Garcia is also a Level 3 registered sex offender.