19-272 Detectives Arrest Woman For Aggravated Child Abuse After She Seriously Injured 6-Month-Old In Unincorporated Clearwater

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Crimes Against Children Unit

Paola Yanis Perez (Mother- Arrested)
DOB: 03/01/98
Address: Unincorporated Clearwater
Charges: Two counts of Aggravated Child Abuse with Great Bodily Harm.

Guillermo Jose Torres (Father)
DOB: 10/19/94
Address: Unincorporated Clearwater

The victim is a 6-month-old male. Per Florida Statute 119.071(2)(h)1, no further information will be released that would tend to identify the victim.

What:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit arrested a woman after she seriously injured a 6-month-old child in unincorporated Clearwater.

When:
The incidents occurred between September 30, 2019, and October 21, 2019.

The suspect was arrested on October 24, 2019.

Where:
The incidents occurred at a private residence in unincorporated Clearwater.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit arrested a woman after she seriously injured a 6-month-old child in unincorporated Clearwater.

Detectives began their investigation on October 22, 2019, after a 6-month-old child was admitted to All Children’s Hospital with multiple brain bleeds. Detectives say paramedics transported the child to the hospital after a family friend noticed the child vomited, was crying excessively, and was stiff and shaking in his sleep.

Detectives learned from doctors the child had substantial hemorrhaging on the brain with different stages of healing indicating multiple traumatic incidents, to include a fresh hemorrhage.

Detectives conducted interviews with the child’s mother, 21-year-old mother Paola Perez, the child’s father 25-year-old Guillermo Torres, and witnesses. During the interviews detectives identified inconsistencies in Perez’s statements.

On Thursday, October 24, 2019, detectives interviewed Perez at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Perez admitted to detectives that on at least two occasions she was frustrated with the child when she forcefully grabbed the child up causing the child’s head to jerk back and forth multiple times without supporting the child’s head.

Detectives arrested Perez and transported her to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Perez was charged with two counts of Aggravated Child Abuse with Great Bodily Harm.

Detectives say the victim remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition.

The investigation continues.

Perez booking photo.