4-Year-Old Girl Dies from Health Complications After Her Mother Punched her in the Stomach

mother charged with first-degree child abuse

The irresponsible mother could be deported once police officers conclude the investigations for contributing to her 4-year-old daughter’s death.

Emergency response units were called to Iris Hernandez Rivas’ home after the 20-year-old mother alerted them about her unresponsive 4-year-old daughter. Preliminary police reports state that the mother had no explanation for her daughter’s traumatic injuries that left 4-year-old Nohely barely alive.

According to local authorities, the little girl was taking a shower when all of a sudden her mother heard a banging noise. When she rushed to the bathroom, Hernandez Rivas found the little one facedown in the bathtub, in their Gaithersburg, Maryland, apartment.

However, according to a police affidavit filed in Montgomery County District Court, the mother later told law enforcement officers she punched her daughter in the stomach because Nohely wouldn’t brush her teeth. This caused the little girl to lose her balance and fall, hitting her head against a wall in the living room. Last month, Hernandez Rivas was jailed on first-degree assault and first-degree child abuse charges. Most likely, the latest charges will be added to her criminal record.

Unfortunately, in spite of the health experts’ efforts to save the little girl’s life, 4-year-old Nohely died last week, on Friday, February 3^rd, after Children’s National Medical Center’s physicians placed her on a ventilator. According to a police spokesman, Captain Paul Starks, additional charges will depend solely on autopsy results and consultation with prosecutors.

Hernandez Rivas remained in police custody without bond through Friday. At this point, it is yet unclear if the defendant has retained an attorney.

Official reports show that on January 26^th, at around 12:30 p.m., the 20-year-old mother called for medical assistance as her daughter was unresponsive. The first responders transported the little girl to a Rockville hospital, where medical staff discovered multiple bruises on several regions of her body. Furthermore, the CT scan revealed injury to Nohely’s brain. She was then transferred to Children’s Hospital, as the records state.

Even though the mother eventually called for medical help, she did not do so until 58 minutes after she discovered her daughter unresponsive in the bathtub. 20-year-old Hernandez Rivas is now incarcerated at the Montgomery County jail where federal immigration agents have placed a detainer on her. This could serve as an early indication that the irresponsible mother could be deported at some point in the future.

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Anne-Marie Jackson

Anna grew up on a steady diet of 20th century literature, science-fiction movies and Viking lore. Unsurprisingly she turned into a technology geek with an inclination for history & fantasy.