Apple Valley Mother Charged After Infant Suffers Abusive Head Trauma

Aug 2

An Apple Valley woman is charged with felony assault after her 7-month-old son was hospitalized in May with traumatic brain injuries consistent with abusive head trauma.

Floriana Carrillo Rodriguez, 21, is charged in Dakota County with third-degree assault of a victim under four.

The charge follows a law enforcement and medical investigation that began on May 6, when Rodriguez called 911 to report that her infant son was unresponsive and experiencing seizure-like activity.

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According to the complaint, Rodriguez told first responders that the baby had fallen from a sitting position on May 3 and had been fussier than usual over the following days, court documents say.. She claimed he was back to normal by the morning of May 6 and feeding normally until around noon, when she said he suddenly passed out. Rodriguez told investigators she had been the child’s sole caregiver since 10 p.m. the night before and denied any known trauma or injury.

The child was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where doctors observed additional seizure activity. A CT scan and MRI revealed that the baby had suffered bilateral subdural hemorrhages and traumatic brain injury. An eye exam later confirmed bleeding in all quadrants of both eyes.

A pediatrician from the Center for Safe and Healthy Children evaluated the child and determined there was no medical explanation for the injuries and no history of accidental trauma that could explain them. The doctor concluded the injuries were consistent with abusive head trauma.

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Rodriguez was interviewed again on May 12 and gave several conflicting explanations for how the child might have been injured. She initially claimed the baby had fallen a few inches from a car seat onto the floor. She later changed the story to say the car seat was on a couch 18 to 20 inches off the ground and that it fell on top of the baby. Rodriguez eventually gave a third version, stating the seat was on a kitchen chair when the child fell and the seat hit him. Medical experts stated that none of the scenarios matched the severity of the child’s injuries.

The infant remained hospitalized for seven days and continues to be monitored for long-term complications. A warrant has been issued for Rodriguez’s arrest. She is charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

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