BEL AIR, Md. (TCD) — A 37-year-old North Carolina woman was arrested after surveillance video allegedly showed her slamming her young son to the ground multiple times.
According to the Bel Air Police Department, on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 5:25 a.m., an off-duty deputy from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office was driving by 404 N. Main St. and saw a woman standing in the street “holding a lifeless infant child.” The deputy contacted the Bel Air Police, and officers quickly arrived at the scene.
Police began lifesaving measures on the child, who was identified as 3-year-old Jason Garcia. Harford County paramedics transported Garcia to University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased at approximately 6 a.m..
Bel Air Police said “significant evidence, including video evidence” led investigators to arrest Garcia’s mother, Gloria Hughes, on charges of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.
WUSA-TV reports Garcia’s father called Morgantown, North Carolina, Police on Dec. 2 and said his son and Hughes were traveling to Maryland amid a custody dispute. Later that day, Hughes and Garcia went to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center because Garcia ingested a type of acid. The two were discharged Sunday morning at around 12:15 a.m.
Surveillance video later shows Hughes allegedly slamming her son on the sidewalk. According to WUSA, Garcia was immobile for over an hour. Doctors at the hospital found Garcia had suffered a skull fracture and sustained a large rash on his face.
Bel Air Police said investigators are still working to determine a motive.
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