Lodi police have arrested a man who they say beat his 2-month-old daughter then assaulted his wife after she discovered the infant's injuries and attempted to take the baby to the hospital.
The woman told police officers that she returned home from work Tuesday and found her daughter asleep in a swing inside her home on South Hutchins Street.
The woman noticed that the girl was hurt and asked the infant's father, Justin Wayne Beebe, 20, what had happened, Lodi police said. Beebe gave several reasons for the child's injuries, the woman told police.
The mother tried to take the girl to the hospital, but Beebe allegedly would not allow her to leave the home, fearing the police would be called. Beebe then allegedly beat the woman to prevent her from leaving, police said.
Beebe finally let his wife take the infant to the hospital, said Lt. Steve Carillo.
Police learned of the incident after responding to Lodi Memorial Hospital to investigate the child-abuse allegation.
An examination of the baby by officers revealed heavy bruising on her face, forehead, chest, back, left ankle and groin, police said.
The severe injuries, which included blunt force trauma to the head, prompted the baby to be flown to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, where she was upgraded from critical to stable condition Tuesday afternoon.
The mother also was treated for blunt force trauma to the head and upper body at Lodi Memorial Hospital and was released.
Lodi police used a dog to help subdue Beebe when they contacted him at the family's home and he refused to follow officers' orders, Carillo said.
Beebe was arrested on suspicion of child cruelty with great injury, false imprisonment, domestic violence, violation of a domestic court order and an outstanding hit-and-run traffic warrant.
He is being held in San Joaquin County Jail on $660,000 bail.
Beebe could face more severe charges, Carillo said. Police continue to investigate, he said.
Call The Bee's Niesha Lofing, (916) 321-1270.
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