Lucy, Port St. Fla. (WFLA) – A man has been arrested after hospital reported to authorities when he was found to be three months old after being seriously injured.
On March 29, detectives from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital to investigate alleged child abuse cases involving an infant.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, HCA health workers had notified them after they discovered infant injuries that were consistent with recent and past trauma.
Injuries identified by hospital staff included a rib fracture that healed from a fracture, a healed fracture in the child’s left lower leg, and an acute torsional fracture in the right upper arm.
Detectives said that due to the severity of these injuries, the infant was moved to St. Mary’s Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment.
After extensive investigation, an arrest warrant was issued on Friday, 33-year-old James Rondendick, who aggravated child abuse and caused major physical harm.
“We cannot tolerate harm to an unprotected child,” Sheriff Richard del Toro said. “If you hurt a child or prey to the most vulnerable people in St. Lucie County, you are accountable. Our agents will find you. They will arrest you, and you will face the full power of the law.”
The St. Lucy County Sheriff’s Office arrested Longdeek and booked him at the St. Lucy County Jail on a $50,000,000 bond.
