PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- At first, the young couple told police and doctors that their son was hurt when he was caught in his stroller.
But the baby's injuries -- broken arms, broken hip, knee, and thigh -- revealed a different story.
After a lengthy investigation, the Providence police arrested the parents this week, accusing them of abusing and neglecting their baby, and lying to investigators about what happened.
Jonathan Ortega, 18, who was arrested in July for allegedly trying to strangle 19-year-old Vanessa Jones, is now charged with first-degree child abuse on their son.
And Jones is charged with neglect, for allowing Ortega to be alone with their baby, despite an order for supervised visits with the Department of Children Youth and Families, according to a police report.
Doctors at Hasbro Children's Hospital first notified Providence police on July 25, after they examined the boy, who was then 6 months old, and found suspicious injuries, including several fractures that were healing, the report said.
Although Jones said the baby's leg got stuck in the stroller as they were getting on a bus at Kennedy Plaza the day before, detectives said they eventually discovered that wasn't true.
Instead, they found surveillance video that showed Ortega with the baby, alone, pushing him in a stroller by the Cadillac Lounge, the report said.
A week later, the Pawtucket police arrested Ortega on charges of assaulting Jones. He was ordered not to have any contact with her.
By Aug. 23, the Providence police had warrants for Ortega and Jones in the abuse of their son. The pair was arrested this week.
Jones, of 30 Cheshire St., Apt. 103, was arraigned Tuesday at Family and District courts on a charge of child neglect and obstructing police.
Ortega, of 28 Coleman St., Pawtucket, was arraigned Wednesday at District Court on charges of first-degree child abuse and obstructing police.
Both were released from court. The baby's custody was unknown Friday. Kevin Aucoin, deputy director at DCYF, did not respond to requests for comment.