PHOENIX - A man has been charged with abuse for allegedly inflicting life-threatening injuries on a 4-year-old boy.
According to court documents, Steven Nelson, 25, abused his girlfriend’s 4-year-old son between Feb. 1 and Feb. 3, resulting in the boy’s hospitalization for three weeks.
The boy had a broken arm, a broken leg, fractured teeth, numerous bruises and multiple areas of hair loss from hair being pulled out by the roots, according to the documents.
Investigators interviewed the boy’s mother, who told them it was either Steve or her who could have caused the injuries and that it was not her.
When detectives talked to the boy, he told them Nelson was the one who hurt him.
Nelson reportedly told investigators that his actions toward the boy were meant in a playful manner and that he did not mean to hurt the victim.
Nelson has been charged with child abuse, a class 2 felony.