A deeply disturbing case out of Texas has shocked the community, as a father has been arrested for allegedly abusing his 6-week-old daughter, leaving her with multiple broken bones and other serious injuries. Authorities say the infant had 17 rib fractures, broken legs, bruises, and other signs of repeated abuse.
Texas Father Accused of Breaking Infant’s Bones in Horrific Abuse Case
Rodolfo Rosette, a Texas father, is now facing a first-degree felony charge of injury to a child after his newborn daughter was brought to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth earlier this month. The baby was covered in injuries that doctors say clearly point to severe child abuse.
Court records show that Rosette was arrested on Monday and is currently being held in Taylor County Jail on a $100,000 bond. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison under Texas law.
What Doctors Discovered
The medical team at the hospital quickly raised the alarm. After examining the baby, they found:
17 broken ribs, all in different stages of healing, suggesting ongoing abuse
Fractures to both legs – the femur and tibia
A torn frenulum, the tissue that connects the tongue to the mouth, often seen in cases of force-feeding or blunt trauma
Bruises all over her tiny body
Blood in her vomit and stool
She was also underweight, adding to concerns of neglect or malnutrition
These injuries led hospital staff to immediately notify the Abilene Police Department, prompting a full investigation.
What the Father Allegedly Admitted
During questioning, Rosette reportedly admitted to hurting the child, telling police that he had become “frustrated” and squeezed her too tightly, likely causing the rib injuries.
He also said he strapped the baby into her car seat so tightly that she cried in pain. When police checked the car seat later, the straps were so tight that officers couldn’t even fit their hands between the straps and the seat—an alarming sign of excessive force.
Rosette also told investigators that he pulled the baby’s legs too hard while trying to help her pass a bowel movement, leading to multiple fractures. The torn frenulum, police say, was likely caused by Rosette forcing a bottle into the baby’s mouth and holding it there aggressively.
Recovery and Safety of the Child
Once the child was removed from Rosette’s care, her condition started to improve. Police confirmed that no new injuries occurred during the three weeks after she was placed in protective care, and she was also gaining weight normally—a promising sign of recovery.
A Case That Demands Justice
This case is a horrifying example of what can happen when a caregiver becomes violent with a completely helpless infant. In just six weeks of life, this baby girl experienced pain, trauma, and neglect—and it’s only thanks to alert medical staff that she was saved before it was too late.
Under Texas law, injury to a child by intentional or reckless harm is taken extremely seriously, especially when the victim is so young and vulnerable. Prosecutors are expected to pursue the case aggressively given the severity of the injuries and the clear signs of long-term abuse.
This heartbreaking story highlights the importance of reporting any signs of child abuse and protecting the most vulnerable in our society. Thanks to the vigilance of doctors and law enforcement, this baby now has a chance to recover and grow in a safe environment. Meanwhile, her father is facing the full weight of the law for his alleged actions. Child abuse is never excusable—help is always available for overwhelmed parents, and violence is never the answer.
