Police save infant’s life at motel, then discover ‘horrific crimes,’ Ohio officials say
_fitted.png "Police said they saved the life of an infant at a Red Roof Inn in Akron, Ohio, and revealed extensive abuse inflicted by the couple caring for her.")
An Ohio couple is accused of rape and abuse of an 11-month-old infant who nearly died in their motel room, police say and news outlets report.
Jamilee Hunt and Jason Santos were both indicted on multiple charges Wednesday, Dec. 18, including rape, felonious assault and endangering children, records filed in Summit County show.
Santos is the baby’s father and Hunt is Santos’ girlfriend, according to the Springfield Township Police Department.
A 911 call brought officers to the couple’s motel room at a Red Roof Inn on Akron’s south side, on the night of Nov. 22, Cleveland.com reported.
The baby girl was found inside not breathing, police said, but “officers performed CPR and successfully restored a pulse before the child was transported to the hospital by the fire department.”
The girl had numerous broken bones, bruising, and damage to internal organs — and the trauma indicated sexual assault, officials said, Cleveland.com reported.
Investigators interviewed Santos at the police station, asking him about the injuries. He “lied repeatedly,” first claiming the couple’s dog was responsible, then shifting the blame to Hunt, police told WKYC.
“He (Santos) still denied having anything to do with her injuries and he still hadn’t asked even how his daughter was doing. He didn’t seem to care,” Detective John Simms told the station.
Hunt was interviewed the following day, and she turned the blame back on Santos, saying he had been the one who hurt the baby, the station reported.
The girl is still recovering at a hospital, according to the outlet.
Records show Hunt and Santos were booked into the Summit County Jail on Nov. 23, and their bonds are set at $1 million each.
No attorney information was available for Hunt or Santos.
Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich announced the charges his office is pursuing against the couple.
“These were horrific crimes against a baby and my office will work hard to hold these offenders accountable,” Kolkovich said in a statement, Cleveland.com reported. “I want to thank the Springfield Township first responders for their quick action that saved this child’s life and I hope that her condition continues to improve.”
This story was originally published December 19, 2024 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Police save infant’s life at motel, then discover ‘horrific crimes,’ Ohio officials say."