Babysitter accused of child abuse; baby in critical condition


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SALT LAKE CITY — A man who had been watching an 8-month-old girl during the day while her mother went to work has been arrested for investigation of intentional child abuse.

Anthony Lopez, 24, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail Wednesday. A mother took her 8-month-old daughter to Pioneer Valley Hospital on Wednesday morning. Doctors there flew the young girl by medical helicopter to Primary Children's Hospital.

The girl was in critical condition Thursday with "extensive bruising and head trauma," said Salt Lake police detective Veronica Montoya. After the baby arrived at Primary, hospital staff called Salt Lake police.

Lopez was interviewed by police and arrested. Lopez is an acquaintance of the mother, Montoya said. The mother and her child moved into an apartment near 1700 South and Redwood Road with Lopez and other adults a few weeks ago, she said. The mother would go to work during the day, and Lopez allegedly watched her child while she was gone.

Lopez also had a warrant out for his arrest on a misdemeanor intoxication charge for failing to appear in court about a year ago, according to court records.

He also had an outstanding warrant for a 2009 conviction of an amended charge of attempted drug possession. The warrant was for failing to appear in court, which happened after he had already violated his probation, according to court records.

He was convicted of interfering with a police officer in 2012 while additional charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct were dismissed. Lopez was convicted of similar charges in 2011. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug possession in 2008.

Contributing: Haley Smith

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