Two charged after 2-year-old girl found with bruising and fractures in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A doctor at a Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital said that a 2-year-old girl suffered multiple injuries, including a broken left upper arm, fractured left leg, bruising on her skull, and burst blood vessels in both eyes.

The ensuing investigation led to Zoe Wagenhurst, 25, of Baton Rouge, and Christian Griffin, 21, of Baton Rouge, being charged with second-degree cruelty to juveniles.

The Baton Rouge Police Department was called to the hospital to investigate a complaint regarding cruelty to juveniles around 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16.

Upon arrival, officers learned that the child had several fractures and bruises.

Wagenhurst stated that the arm injury came from the child falling onto her toddler bed during a playdate.

According to Wagenhurst, “the victim’s face was bruised by sleeping with her sippy cup in her bed, as well as sipping on their dog’s urine and hitting her face on the floor.”

The Baton Rouge woman claimed she did not know how the bruising on the child’s skull happened.

According to the affidavit, Wagenhurst admitted to applying bandages and VapoRub on the girl during the prior week.

The Baton Rouge woman stated that she and the child live with her boyfriend, who takes care of the girl while she is working, BRPD said.

The mother of a 2-year-old who played with the injured child on a playdate said she saw the bruising when arriving, according to BRPD.

Griffin provided contradictory statements, including that the girl fell while playing tug-of-war with the other 2-year-old, according to police.

BRPD said Griffin provided a false name to police and admitted that the 2-year-old girl could not raise her arm above her shoulder “at some point in the past week.”

Professional medical care was not sought for the child, according to BRPD.

The Baton Rouge woman was arrested on Saturday, Oct. 17.

Jail records show that a bond amount has not been set for Wagenhurst or Griffin.