ACCUSED OF ABUSING DAUGHTER

The Sugarloaf teen father accused of assaulting his 22-month-old daughter appeared in San Bernardino County Superior Court on September 23 for a brief disposition/reset hearing. His next court appearance is November 4. (File Photo)

By Michael P. Neufeld

San Bernardino, CA – The teenage father of a 22-month-old girl – Aaron Wayne Degrise, now 19 — returned to Superior Court September 23, facing a felony charge of assault on a child causing coma.

Judge Katrina West presided over a brief disposition/reset hearing in Department S-22 and set another disposition/reset hearing for Monday, November 4, at 8:30 a.m.

Degrise remains in custody at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. Bail remains at $1 million.

THE INCIDENT

The teenage parents of the young girl were arrested after a hospital examination revealed that the victim had extensive injuries, suspected of being caused by abuse, according to information provided the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station.

Deputies responded to Bear Valley Community Hospital on Tuesday, July 9, related to the infant, who had injuries to her head and body. The child was transported to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital for additional treatment. Medical examinations by LLUCH forensic pediatricians revealed the possible abuse.

THE INVESTIGATION

The Crimes Against Children detail assumed the investigation, leading to the arrest of the victim’s parents — Degrise and the unidentified 17-year-old mother, according to a release issued July 11 by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

The mother is charged with violating penal Code 273a(1) – Willfully Causing or Permitting a Child to be Injured. She is being held at San Bernardino Juvenile Hall without bail, as is the case with all juveniles booked at Juvenile Hall. (746)