Man admits he abused infant son

By Tiffany Gibson

Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 | 1:26 p.m.

A 21-year-old Las Vegas man accused of beating and biting his 3-month-old son admitted to Metro Police that he abused the boy on numerous occasions, according to an arrest report.

Andrew Mendoza, 21, is charged with one count of child abuse with substantial bodily harm, eight counts of child abuse, and one count each of child neglect and child endangerment.

Authorities said Friday that Mendoza told officers he often bit, punched and pinched his son in various places. He said he also threw bottles at his son’s head when the boy refused to eat, the report said.

Police arrested Mendoza Tuesday after officers responded to the 3900 block of South Decatur Boulevard Feb. 23 to investigate a report of an unresponsive infant. When officers arrived they learned medical personnel had taken the boy to the hospital.

Mendoza told officers that he was taking a shower and holding his son, Angel, in his arms when he slipped and fell, police said. Officers said the baby was found dry on the bedroom floor.

Police said mother, Ashley Silverberg, was in Arizona visiting family when the incident occurred.

The boy was taken to University Medical Center in critical condition and an investigation revealed the infant suffered blunt force abdominal trauma and multiple injuries consistent with human bites, police said.

Medical personnel advised officers that Angel has a non-displacement fracture to head, a laceration to the liver and internal bleeding that could have been caused by his extensive injuries.

The report also said the infant has three small bruises on the forehead, bruising to both inner thighs, additional small circular bruises on the back, abdomen and head, as well as a small laceration to his right earlobe and adult-sized bite marks on his right arm, lower chest area, right ankle and lower back.

Mendoza told police he bit his son on Feb. 20 after being awakened by the boy. He also said that he would get very frustrated with Angel and squeeze him tightly to stop him from crying. A week ago, he said he held Angel against his chest with both arms, squeezing him so tight that the boy vomited on him, police said.

Authorities said Mendoza explained the bruises to the boy’s thighs were from pinches. He told officers he pinched Angels’ thighs because the boy wouldn’t lie still when he changed his diaper, so he would pinch him.

An arrest report said officers also found seven plastic bags of marijuana during an inspection of the residence. Mendoza said the marijuana belonged to him, and he smokes while taking care of Angel, police said.

Police said 14.5 grams of marijuana and two pipes were seized from the residence. No drug charges have been brought against Mendoza yet.

This morning he appeared via video link before Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo Friday for a 48-hour hearing. Abbatangelo set a status check for 7:30 a.m. March 1 to give councils more time to prepare for the case.

Mendoza bowed his head and timidly asked Abbatangelo if he knew the status of his son. Abbatangelo said he did not have that information.

Mendonza is being held in the Clark County Detention Center on $29,000 bail.