Baby in critical condition alter being brutally beaten by stepfather in La Reina

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SANTIAGO.- A 17 month old baby is currently listed in critical condition at the pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Luis Calvo Mackenna Hospital after being brutally beaten by his stepfather, identified as 18 year-old Esteban Tejo Garrido, in the municipality of La Reina.

The incident occurred at a home located on Calle Quinchamlí, in La Reina, where the young man was allegedly bottle-feeding the baby, who has been identified with the initials I.D.D.

According to police, the baby became restless during the feeding and knocked the bottle to the floor, infuriating his stepfather, who responded by punching and slamming the infant against a wall.

After realizing the severe nature of the child's condition, Tejo and the boy's mother, 22 year-old Patricia Droguett Molina, took the baby to a medical center and told officials there that the injuries had been caused by a fall. After examining the baby however, doctors discovered that the couple was lying and reported the incident to the East Metropolitan Public Prosecutor's Office.

The Department of Homicide was called to the hospital, where they officially made note of the baby's injuries and arrested the child's stepfather, who will later be charged.