Tucson Police department officers responded to a residence in the 3900 Block of South Evergreen at the request of Tucson Fire Department personnel, who indicated that there were indications of possible child abuse at that location. Detectives learned that a 3½-month old baby boy and his 21-month old sister were left in the care of Tanner Brown, age 25, while the mother of the children was at work.
The mother left for work at approximately 6:00 a.m. on October 24, 2012. When she returned at approximately 9:20 a.m., Brown advised her that there was something wrong with the 3½-month old baby. The child’s mother noted that the baby was pale, limp, and unresponsive. As such, she immediately called 911 for emergency medical assistance. Tucson Fire Department personnel responded to the residence and evaluated the child. The emergency medical personnel indicated that they suspected possible child abuse, causing them to request the response of Tucson Police Department personnel.
The Tucson Fire Department personnel transported the baby to a local hospital for additional medical evaluation and treatment. Medical staff indicated that the baby had obvious signs of head trauma and other injuries that were consistent with the baby having been shaken forcefully. The baby remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
Child Protective Services were notified and personnel responded to take custody of the 21-month old female child as well as retain custody of the baby at the hospital.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Brown was alone in the residence with both children when the infant was injured. The 21-month old female child was not injured. Due to the severity of the injuries inflicted on the infant and the fact that Brown was the only person in the residence with both children at the time that the injuries occurred, he was ultimately arrested and charged with 2 counts of Child Abuse, a felony. There were indications that some of the baby’s injuries may have been inflicted on another date when the children were left in Brown’s care. He was transported and booked into the Pima County Jail.