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Sandra Yi ReportingCraig Gibson: "It's bad enough that she broke bones on a baby, but something even worse could have happened."
The woman gave birth to her son less than two months ago. Now she could lose him. 19-year old Yossye Avendano is a new mom. Police say, at times the role was too much for her.
Craig Gibson: "She doesn't have the experience base to know what to do."
Last month Avendano took her son to the hospital. He had a broken leg.
Craig Gibson: "The mother was adamant that she didn't know what happened."
But doctors believed the injuries were suspicious. A week later, during a follow up visit, doctors discovered the baby had a fractured ankle.
Craig Gibson: "Just an unfortunate thing for the little child."
Police continued to investigate. Yesterday Avendano confessed she hurt her baby.
Asst. Chief Craig Gibson, Layton Police Dept.: "What she did is yanked on his leg and then twisted it, on both occasions. This was done out of anger and frustration."
Police say Avendano's story isn't unheard of.
Asst. Chief Craig Gibson: "All too common, a young mother, not knowing how to deal with an infant that was crying, and in her frustration and anger, she struck out at the child."
Police want parents to know there are options. They say to ask for help if you feel like you're losing control. They say, call family, friends, even the police.
Craig Gibson: "If they feel like that, get intervention before its occurring. If you're young, got a new child and you're not quite sure what to do, you can go to some of the parenting classes and get some of that kind of help."
Police say Avendano waited a day before getting her son medical care after the first injury. She is now in jail on two counts of felony child abuse. The baby is in state custody.
