Mother accused of abusing infant daughter in southern Utah

ST. GEORGE — A southern Utah woman is accused of abusing her 4-month-old daughter.

Jessica Lynn Archuleta, 27, of St. George, was charged Tuesday in 5th District Court with three counts of aggravated child abuse and witness tampering, third-degree felonies.

The investigation began on Jan. 19 when Archuleta brought her daughter to St. George Regional Hospital claiming she had fallen off the bed, according to the affidavit in support of an arrest warrant.

Doctors determined the infant "had a cut under her nose and a skull fracture with a brain bleed. Additional X-rays revealed that (the girl) had multiple broken ribs that were healing," and had her flown by medical helicopter to Primary Children's Hospital, court documents state.

In Salt Lake, doctors determined the girl "had at least six broken ribs at various stages of healing. She also had a mandibular fracture that was at a stage of healing. Doctor notes indicate that the injuries were at least 10 days old," the affidavit states.

When questioned by police, Archuleta allegedly admitted she had been frustrated with the young girl because of her crying.

"As Jessica described this, she made a motion with her hands like she was holding a baby on its sides and squeezing. Jessica also admitted that she had grabbed (her daughter) by the face and squeezed her cheeks and mouth to get her to open her mouth to give (her) medicine. Jessica stated that she has a 'heavy hand' and is a big person so she could have been a little too rough with (her daughter)," according to court documents.

A witness told investigators Archuleta "gets very aggressive" with her daughter when she cries. She also overheard Archuleta threaten her boyfriend if he talked to police, the affidavit states.

At the time charges were filed, the girl had been removed from the home and placed into foster care by the state, court documents state.

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