Charges of abuse of a child and battery on a household member have been filed in Aztec Magistrate Court in connection with a Feb. 25 incident in Bloomfield, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit for arrest warrant.

The affidavit, filed Feb. 26 in San Juan County, alleges the offenses occurred in Bloomfield and involved a 3-year-old child.

Response to Domestic Disturbance Call

According to the affidavit, Bloomfield police were dispatched at approximately 9:36 p.m. on Feb. 25 to an apartment on West Blanco Boulevard in reference to a possible domestic dispute.

The reporting party told dispatch that her boyfriend, Jeremiah Ortega, had grabbed her daughter’s hair and was swinging her around, the affidavit states.

Officers met with the reporting party outside the apartment. She was described as crying and speaking on the phone. She told officers the defendant had left the residence.

The filing follows a separate Bloomfield case involving a 5-month-old at a laundromat; read prior coverage here: Records: Witnesses Describe Assault on 5-Month-Old at Bloomfield Laundromat.

Statements and Observations

The reporting party told police she entered a bedroom and observed the defendant holding the 3-year-old by her hair with both hands and swinging her side to side while she was partially off the bed, according to the affidavit.

She stated she punched the defendant twice in the face, and that he then struck her twice in the face. The officer noted observing a swollen and bleeding lip consistent with her statement.

The affidavit states the reporting party said the defendant attempted to gather clothing and a duffel bag before leaving when she called police.

Child’s Condition and Medical Response

Police requested medical personnel to evaluate the child. According to the affidavit, the child told medics her head was hurting and was transported for further evaluation after medics advised she be seen at a hospital.

The officer documented multiple visible injuries, including bruising on the child’s hands, fingers, arms, wrist and forearm, a bump with bruising on her forehead, scratches on her face, and bruising on her lower and upper back and chest.

Based on statements obtained, physical evidence observed, the child’s disclosure and documented injuries, the affidavit states probable cause was established for the charges.

Additional Details in Report

The affidavit states the defendant is not the biological father of the three children in the residence and had been staying there for approximately two months. The reporting party told officers the defendant had previously been alone with the child while she was at work.

The incident was recorded on an in-car and body camera, and photographs were logged into evidence, according to the affidavit.

CHARGES FILED

• Abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm), third-degree felony
• Battery (household member), misdemeanor

CASE STATUS

An arrest warrant was requested in connection with the charges, according to court records filed in Aztec Magistrate Court.

Source: Criminal complaint and affidavit for arrest warrant filed in Aztec Magistrate Court, San Juan County.

Jeremiah Ortega is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are allegations. No determination of guilt has been made.