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South Bay Couple May Face Life For Toddler Abuse

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Aug 17, 2007 10:31 pm US/Pacific

South Bay Couple May Face Life For Toddler Abuse

 CBS 5 CrimeWatch

SAN JOSE (CBS 5 / AP / BCN) ― A San Jose woman and her boyfriend are facing a possible life sentence in connection with the alleged repeated torture and abuse of the woman's 22-month-old son, a Santa Clara County prosecutor said Friday.

Julia Acosta, 20, and Baltazar Martinez, 26, were arraigned Friday afternoon in Santa Clara County Superior Court on two felony counts each of torture with great bodily injury and child abuse and endangerment with great bodily injury, according to prosecutor Dan Nishigaya.

Martinez also faces a domestic violence charge for allegedly abusing Acosta.

Nishigaya said the bruises and burns all over the toddler's body are evidence that he had been abused for "weeks if not months," before being taken to the hospital by a relative Aug. 6.

The couple face a maximum of life in prison with the possibility of parole if convicted. The extent of the abuse justifies the possible life sentence, according to Nishigaya.

"The type of injuries can only be the result of significant child abuse," he said.

Investigators said the defendants, who had been together only a few months, appear to have constantly abused the child as they roved around Santa Clara County staying in motels, possibly using drugs.

"It's probably the most serious case I've seen," said Santa Clara County Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Herman Leon.

Last week, the child's grandmother intervened and took Acosta and the crying toddler to the hospital. Acosta fled and went into hiding once she learned authorities were looking for her and Martinez. They were both arrested earlier this week.

The child is in protective custody and still under medical care.

Martinez remains jailed on $2.5 million bail. Acosta is being held on $1 million bail.

(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press and Bay City News contributed to this report.)

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