Dos Palos man suspected of breaking baby’s legs

A Dos Palos man is in custody after he allegedly broke the legs of his girlfriend’s infant son, Los Banos police reported.

Aaron Burns, 19, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of child endangerment with bodily injury, assault with great bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon or force likely to produce great bodily injury, and violation of probation. Burns is being held without bail at Merced County Jail.

Police recounted the events of the week:

Memorial Hospital, Los Banos received a 10-month-old boy with two broken legs and other unspecified injuries early Monday. Medical staff thought the infant’s injuries were suspicious and alerted police. The child’s legs were broken just above the ankles.

The infant’s mother told police her son was briefly in the care of Burns, her boyfriend, and she later discovered the child’s injuries. The mother was not initially forthcoming with investigators.

Los Banos police detectives are working with the Merced County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the mother will face charges, and police are working with Merced County Child Protective Services to ensure the child remains in a safe environment.

“This is one of those cases that shocks the conscious of the community,” police Cmdr. Jason Hedden said.

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 8:27 AM with the headline "Dos Palos man suspected of breaking baby’s legs."