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Police arrest parents after baby hospitalized with broken legs

Posted at 1:34 PM, Apr 03, 2012
and last updated 2012-04-03 22:33:24-04

SALT LAKE CITY -- Salt Lake Police arrested a couple for allegedly abusing their infant.

On Monday, a four-month-old girl was taken to Primary Children's Hospital for treatment of leg injuries. Doctors told officers that the baby had broken both legs and suffered an injury to her mouth. They say that the injuries were consistent with abuse.

An investigation led to the arrest of the child's parents, Lorissa Boltinghouse and Jeremy Johnson, for child abuse. According to police documents, Boltinghouse admitted to yanking the child's legs and forcing a bottle into her mouth.

She said that Johnson was present when this happened and Johnson also admitted to forcing a bottle into the child's mouth, according to police documents. The baby's mouth injury is often caused by a blow to the mouth or the forcing of a bottle or pacifier into the mouth, according to the police documents.

Police say the couple is from Missouri and were staying in a Salt Lake City motel for several days, but were not sure why.

The child was temporarily placed with the Division of Child and Family Services until they determine if the baby can be placed with relatives or in foster care.

DCFS says they investigate nearly 40,000 reported child abuse cases every year.