A Riverside County corrections deputy has been charged with six child abuse charges following an investigation that started when a 3-month-old baby girl was brought to Loma Linda University Medical Center June 25 with a skull fracture, authorities said.
Jason Gordon Wenker, 30, of Loma Linda, was charged with the felony child abuse charges after a review by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. Each charge also carries an enhancement of great bodily injury on a child under 5 years of age, court records show.
Wenker was initially arrested on suspicion of one charge of willful cruelty to a child on Tuesday, June 26. He posted bond on $100,000 bail and was released.
The subsequent charges were filed Friday, June 29, after further investigation, and a warrant was issued for Wenker. He was arrested that day without incident by a Sheriff’s Specialized Enforcement Detail at a relative’s home in Perris, a Saturday news release said.
Bail was set at $750,000. It was not clear if he posted bond.
Wenker’s newly filed court record did not name an attorney for him.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said last week that Wenker had been placed on administrative leave.
After the baby arrived at Loma Linda University Medical Center, forensic pediatricians found she had numerous other injuries, many of them in different stages of healing. All of the victim’s injuries were consistent with suspected child abuse, authorities said.