Father Accused Of Seriously Injuring 3-Month-Old Child

Police were called to University Medical Center after man brought in his 3-month-old son with serious injuries.

Investigators said 27-year-old Jose Manuel Brito was in sole care of the boy at a home located on the 9400 block of Vicksburg Drive.

In a recorded statement, Brito told investigators that 3-month-old Romeo Brito choked on milk and stopped breathing. Brito said he performed CPR on the child.

A medical specialist said Romeo suffered an acute subdural hematoma, scalp trauma, bleeding from the brain and a depletion of oxygen, which was indicative of shake baby syndrome.

Medical staff also determined that the child had nine rib fractures that were in the healing stages, investigators said.

According to arrest affidavit, medical staff suggested that the injuries were not accidental and were not consistent with the explanation given by Brito.

Brito was charged with injury to a child. He is being held at the El Paso County jail.