Child taken to hospital; Mother charged with abuse

SHELBY, N.C. — 

A 2-year-old girl was taken to the hospital with injuries to her head and face last month, and now her mother faces felony child abuse charges, according to Shelby police.

According to a police report, Ashley Diaz-Serpas, 25, of 505 W. Warren St., called 911 on Jan. 23 to report that her 2-year-old daughter had fallen the day before and her head was swelling.

“Diaz-Serpas … stated that her daughter fell out of the kitchen chair and now the daughter’s head was swelling,” the report states. “There was apparent swelling and bruising on the child’s face, and EMS transported the child and mother to the ER.”

The mother told police that she didn’t notice any injuries after her daughter fell, but the next day, when her husband came home, the girl complained that her head was hurting.

According to police, the girl also had bruises on her back and arms, which the mother attributed to a fall at the Shelby City Park.

Once the child was taken to the hospital, a nurse in charge called the Department of Social Services to report possible child abuse, the report states.

There were three other children at the home.

“(Diaz-Serpas) stated that she just got the kids back from foster care and that her and Mr. Diaz-Serpas just finished marriage counseling,” the report stated.

None of the other children in the home had bruises or marks on them, according to the report.

Shelby Police Sgt. Carl Duncan said Ashley Diaz-Serpas was arrested and charged with one count of felony child abuse, but has posted her $100,000 bond.

When asked the extent of the child’s injuries, Duncan said he could not comment on the situation other than to say the child had been released into the care of DSS and that the case was still under investigation.

DSS Director Karen Ellis said she could not comment specifically on the situation, but said in general, when the DSS receives a report of severe child abuse, a thorough assessment is done along with interviews of relatives and medical professionals.

Ellis said she could not comment on whether the child and her siblings will be returned to the parents.

She said after it is determined that the injuries were intentional, the DSS would take custody and the child or children would be placed either with a relative or in foster care.

“We are ensuring the safety of the child and involving the jurisdiction of the court to do so,” Ellis said.