A 30-year-old babysitter in Florida faces child abuse charges after allegedly striking an infant in the face, leaving visible bruises. The mother discovered the injuries upon pickup and alerted authorities. Medical examination confirmed the marks were likely caused by an adult hand.
Viviana Ortiz-Lopez, 30, was arrested on charges of child abuse without great bodily harm following an incident at her home in the 1300 block of SE 41st Court, Summerfield, Florida. According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office affidavit, the mother dropped off her infant daughter around 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Approximately five hours later, Ortiz-Lopez called the mother to pick up the child, citing non-stop crying that was disturbing other children at the home.
Upon arrival around 1 p.m., the mother noticed significant bruising on the infant's face, including four distinct red lines consistent with a slap mark, swelling on the nose, and bruising extending under the eyes. The marks were roughly the size of an adult hand, deputies observed in photos provided by the parents. Ortiz-Lopez claimed the baby had inflicted the injuries herself and suggested the mother provide mittens to prevent self-harm.
The parents took the infant to a hospital, where doctors determined the injuries were likely caused by an adult. The father contacted police, who reviewed the photos and noted the apparent bruising along the left cheek. During a controlled phone call monitored by deputies, Ortiz-Lopez denied hitting the child. In a subsequent interview, she provided contradictory statements, first saying she hadn't seen the baby initially under a blanket, then claiming the bruises resulted from the infant rubbing her face against it. Throughout, she remained calm.
The infant had only been in Ortiz-Lopez's care for two days, recommended by a mutual friend. That friend later told the mother she had withdrawn her own children due to suspicions of abuse but had not reported it out of fear. Ortiz-Lopez was booked into Marion County Jail.