Babysitter arrested on child abuse charges

A Russellville woman was arrested on Tuesday after the September grand jury indicted her for aggravated child abuse, authorities said.

Consuelo Romero, 35, 401 Limestone St., Russellville, was arrested on an indictment warrant for aggravated child abuse for allegedly injuring a child she was babysitting, Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said.

According to Hargett, the alleged incident took place in January 2013.

Hargett said investigators were dispatched to a local hospital by patrol units after a 16-month-old child was admitted with severe bruising sustained on the right side of the baby’s head.

Hargett said investigators spoke with the child’s doctor who confirmed the injuries did not appear to be accidental.

“The doctor said in addition to the severe bruising, the child also had fractures to the skull and internal injuries,” Hargett said.

Police Invest. Sgt. Jake Tompkins said the baby was flown to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham where an extended hospital stay was necessary for the treatment of the injuries.

Hargett said after the investigation was concluded in the case, they decided to present all the information to the grand jury to determine if enough evidence was available to make an arrest.

After the September grand jury returned an indictment for Romero, Hargett said officers picked her up on the indictment warrant on Tuesday.

Investigators said Romero denied the allegations and said the injuries were caused by the child’s older siblings, but reports show the older siblings were not at home during the time when the injuries supposedly took place.

The child was eventually released from the hospital and returned to the custody of her parents.

Romero is being held in the Franklin County Jail on a $50,000 bond.