Miramar, FL – A woman has been arrested for child neglect after her girlfriend’s son was hospitalized due to serious injuries. Deniqua Lovett, 34, was taken into custody by the Miramar Police Department on December 28 on charges of child neglect with great bodily harm.
The young boy was admitted to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital on September 4 with multiple injuries, including a broken arm, broken ribs, and severe contusions. Medical staff alerted the Miramar Police Department after the boy showed signs of trauma, which they determined required immediate evaluation and treatment.
The child had swelling to the head and elbow when his mother brought him to the emergency room. Lovett provided varying explanations for how the boy sustained these injuries, including a claim that he fell while playing on a slide.
Police investigated Lovett’s account and reviewed surveillance footage from the playground, which did not show her or the boy present on the days in question. They also noted that it was raining the day prior to the child’s injury.
The affidavit states that Lovett alleged the boy had played behind a bed and fell, which caused additional rib fractures. Investigators discovered burns near the boy’s ear, which Lovett claimed were accidental injuries from a hot comb.
An orthopedic surgeon stated the boy’s elbow injury likely occurred before his hospital visit. Further examinations revealed healed fractures in other areas of the child’s body, indicating a history of injury consistent with non-accidental trauma.
The boy is currently in the care of his mother’s aunt. Lovett’s bond was set at $100,000 during a hearing on Monday, and she has posted this bond. The date for her next court appearance has not been disclosed.