Two twenty-year-old parents in Georgia fabricated a car crash story to explain why their five-month-old daughter had more than thirty broken bones scattered across her tiny body.
Story Snapshot
- William King and Amber Rivera arrested after doctors discovered over 30 broken bones in their infant daughter
- Parents claimed injuries resulted from a car crash that police found no evidence of occurring
- Medical experts determined fractures were in various stages of healing, indicating repeated abuse over time
- Child also showed signs of severe neglect including malnutrition and stunted growth
Medical Evidence Exposes the Deception
When doctors at a Douglas County hospital examined the five-month-old infant, they discovered a shocking pattern of injuries that defied the parents’ explanation. The extensive fractures were not clustered in one area as would be expected from a single traumatic event like a car accident. Instead, the bones showed varying stages of healing, indicating multiple episodes of abuse occurring over weeks or months.
Medical professionals immediately recognized the telltale signs of systematic child abuse. Beyond the broken bones, the infant displayed clear indicators of neglect: poor nutrition had stunted her growth, and her overall condition suggested prolonged inadequate care. These findings painted a disturbing picture that contradicted every aspect of the parents’ car crash narrative.
The Phantom Car Crash Investigation
Douglas County Sheriff’s investigators launched an immediate search for any record of the alleged car accident. They combed through police reports, insurance claims, and hospital records. Traffic cameras were reviewed, tow truck companies were contacted, and emergency dispatch logs were scrutinized. The results were definitive: no car crash involving these parents had ever occurred.
The absence of evidence extended beyond official records. Neither parent had sought medical attention for themselves after the supposed accident. No insurance claims were filed for vehicle damage. No witnesses came forward, and no physical evidence of a crash existed anywhere. The fabricated story unraveled completely under basic investigative scrutiny.
Healthcare Heroes and Legal Consequences
The medical team’s swift action exemplifies the critical role healthcare professionals play in protecting vulnerable children. Georgia’s mandatory reporting laws require medical personnel to contact authorities when they suspect abuse, creating a safety net that likely saved this infant’s life. Their trained eye for recognizing abuse patterns versus accidental injuries proved decisive in this case.
William King and Amber Rivera now face serious criminal charges that could result in decades behind bars. The severity of their alleged crimes reflects not just the immediate physical damage inflicted, but the ongoing trauma and potential lifelong consequences for their daughter. Child Protective Services has assumed custody of the infant, who remains hospitalized receiving specialized care for her extensive injuries.
Sources:
A baby had 30 broken bones. Parents blamed a car crash, police say – Atlanta Journal-Constitution
