A Norton man was arrested Wednesday on charges he abused his 20-month-old stepdaughter.
Brandon Mark Mullins, 21, of 424 Roberts Ave., is jailed without bond on charges of malicious wounding of a child under 13, animate or inanimate sexual object penetration of a child less than 13 and aggravated sexual battery of a child under age 13, Norton Police Lt. Investigator Dennis Brummitte said.
Police were notified around noon on Tuesday by medical responders about a toddler bleeding from the vagina.
"His wife had changed the diaper, and the baby was bleeding. He didn't know what was wrong," Brummitte said.
The child was transported to Norton Community Hospital where doctors discovered both the girl's arms were broken just above the wrist.
Brummitte said the ulna and radius of each arm were broken.
"They noticed the baby had swelling on its arms, and they sent it down to be X-rayed. Both arms were broken just above wrist. They were totally displaced," Brummitte said.
"We transferred the baby for a gynecological exam at the Johnson City Medical Center PICU.
"They found the baby had severe lacerations that required surgery," Brummitte said.
The child underwent surgery Tuesday night and "is in good condition at this time," Brummitte said.
Mullins told investigators the baby fell but has given no other indications about how the injuries occurred.
Brummitte said the baby's 15-year-old mother, who is pregnant with Mullins' child, was sleeping when the injuries occurred.
He said a Norton Community Hospital doctor estimated the breaks occurred within 48 hours of the X-rays because there was no evidence that healing had begun.
If convicted of the crimes, Mullins faces life in prison. Aggravated malicious wounding and animate or inanimate object sexual penetration each carry five to life, aggravated sexual battery carries one to 20 years in prison.
Brummitte said penalties are enhanced for crimes committed against children under the age of 13.
"It is one of the worst cases I've investigated. It's horrifying," Brummitte said.
Norton Social Services has filed a petition for custody of the child.
Mullins will be arraigned Friday in Wise County Juvenile Domestic Relations Court, but Brummitte said the case will end up in criminal court.