This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

Maria Santos, a child of 8 months, was found to have been severely abused with a depression in her skull of several inches, a black eye, and a fractured hand. The mother of the child gave explanations of these injuries that were not consistent with how they could have been inflicted. The issue addressed by the trial court was whether the other children in the household were abused and neglected as well.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.