Name:
FLORES-REYES, HUGO ALEXANDER
Date of Booking:
05/25/2023
Reason(s) For Booking:
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN 1ST DEGREE
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on May 25, 2023]
On 5/25/2023 Sgt M. Brant and I were assigned an abuse case involving a ten week old Hispanic female, identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (DOB [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/2023) that was called in to the Oakwood Police Department by the Children’s Health care of Atlanta Scottish Rite, 1001 Johnson Ferry Road NE.
Myself and Sgt Brant arrived at Scottish Rite and met with the hospital’s social worker, [REDACTED]. [REDACTED] then introduced us to Dr. [REDACTED]. Dr [REDACTED] is a Child Abuse Pediatrician and Medical Director at Scottish Rite. When we initially arrived, Dr. [REDACTED] was in [REDACTED BY AGENCY] hospital room with her mother, [WITNESS #1] (DOB [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/1992).
Dr [REDACTED] told us through his interview with [WITNESS #1], that [WITNESS #1] had went to a management class at her job with McDonald’s, 3183 Frontage Rd, Gainesville. GA 30501. [WITNESS #1] stated that when she left that morning [REDACTED] was her normal self. Through out the day, [WITNESS #1] had received pictures and video text message of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] from [REDACTED BY AGENCY] father, identified as Hugo A. Flores Reyes (DOB [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/2002).
The last message [WITNESS #1] had received was around 12:00 of [REDACTED] and stated that she still appeared normal and then her phone died shortly after. When [WITNESS #1] came home around 17:30, she stated that Hugo was attempting to feed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] but she was not taking her bottle, was inconsolable, and making moaning noises.
When [WITNESS #1] took [REDACTED BY AGENCY], [WITNESS #1] stated that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] did not seem normal in that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was not making eye contact as she normally would and that her stares seemed blank. [WITNESS #1] asked Hugo what was wrong with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and what happened that day and Hugo stated nothing happened.
At that time, [WITNESS #1] contacted a coworker, [REDACTED] (last name unknown), to which [REDACTED] gave [WITNESS #1], [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and [WITNESS #1]’s other child, [REDACTED BY AGENCY], a ride to North East Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, GA. [WITNESS #1] stated that nurses noticed bruising on [REDACTED BY AGENCY] face and inquired about the injury.
[WITNESS #1] called Hugo at that time and asked about the injury because the hospital was asking now and at that point Hugo stated that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] fell off the couch while the two were sleeping together. North East Georgia Medical transported [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to the listed Scottish Rite address due to the extent of the injuries that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had sustained.
Staff at Scottish Rite said [REDACTED BY AGENCY] condition worsened upon her arrival into their care, at approximately 2315, stating that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] began seizing and had to induce her into a medical coma.
Dr [REDACTED] stated that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was seen for “diffuse hemorrhage and effacement with concern for herniation”, “bridging vein thrombosis (clot)”, “multiple clavarial fractures (skull)”, “possible healing rib fractures (TBD)”. “bruising neck/face”, had to be checked by opthalmology for “retinal hemorrhages”, and “hypoxic ischemic injury”.
Dr. [REDACTED] stated that it was possible for a fracture to occur to an infant’s skull from a fall but in his expert opinion and experience, the injuries [REDACTED BY AGENCY] sustained was from an incident much more violent. Dr. [REDACTED] stated some examples that could cause these injuries were violent shacking back and forth or throwing the child onto the ground.
While at Scottish Rite, other Oakwood units attempted to make contact at the address Scottish Rite provided us, [900 BLOCK] Lanier Mill Circle, Oakwood, GA 30566. The units reported back that an elderly couple lived at the provided address and Hugo, [WITNESS #1], and the children did not reside at that address. Ofc M. Baker recalled a previous domestic call at [900 BLOCK] Lanier Mill Circle and attempted to make contact at that address but no one answered.
[SECTION REDACTED BY AGENCY]
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on May 25, 2023]
On 5/25/2023, I went to [900 BLOCK] Lanier Mill Circle with two other officers to make contact with a subject who alleged to be involved in domestic case, which occurred on the previous day. I knocked on the door and made contact with a subject identified as Hugo Alexander Flores-Reyes, d.o.b [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/2002. Mr. Reyes who understood English, but was limited in communication verbally.
Mr. Reyes was asked in Spanish and agreed to speak with me about the incident. I decided to call a Spanish speaking officer and place him on speaker phone with Mr. Reyes to ensure Mr. Reyes understood what we were saying to him as a precaution. Mr. Reyes engaged in a consensual conversation and began to explain the incident.
Mr. Reyes demonstrated by laying down on the couch in the manner in which the incident occurred. Mr. Reyes further explained, he placed the baby next to him on the couch toward the edge of the couch. I observed the brown couch in the living room, where the seat area was approximately 8 inches from the floor. Mr. Reyes said he was tired and must have fallen asleep with the baby laying next to him.
Mr. Reyes stated, when he awoke the baby was face down on the floor and he picked her up. Mr. Reyes then said, he placed the baby in the car seat carrier and pointed to it near the island counter near the Kitchen. Mr. Reyes was only to say the incident occurred in the afternoon and did not give a time reference or approximation.
Mr. Reyes stated, he attempted to feed the baby a bottle of milk, but the baby was “fussy” and did not drink it. A short time later the baby’s mother returned home and took the baby to the hospital. Mr. Reyes voluntarily wrote a statement, in Spanish about the incident. I spoke with Officer B. Smyly who was the primary officer on the case, and it was determined that probable cause did exist to take Mr. Reyes into custody.
Mr. Reyes was placed in handcuffs, checked for fit, and double locked. Mr. Reyes was read his rights in Spanish by the Spanish speaking officer via cell phone. Through the interpretation, Mr. Reyes replied “yes” in Spanish to understanding his rights. I escorted Mr. Reyes from the apartment to my patrol car, and placed him in the back seat. I placed the seat belt secured across his body and transported him to the Hall County Detention Center for booking.
[SECTION REDACTED BY AGENCY]
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #3 on May 25, 2023]
On 5/25/2023 at approximately 1209 hours, I Sergeant Llamas was requested to translate over the phone for Officer Baker who was talking to Hugo Flores Reyes. Officer Baker and Sergeant Wall requested I ask Hugo what had happened to the baby who was at the hospital.
Hugo advised that he had worked at night and laid down in the couch with the baby next to him on the side closest to the edge. Hugo advised he fell asleep and woke up to the baby on the floor crying. Hugo advised he made her a bottle but that she would not take it.
[End of Narrative]