An infant is in the hospital after she suffered severe physical abuse, the Philadelphia Police Department said on Saturday night.
The investigation began on Friday, Aug. 7, after the seven-week old baby girl was first taken to Jefferson Hospital by her parents. There, doctors recommended she be taken to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, according to Philadelphia Police Inspector DF Pace.
The girl was taken to CHOP and medical professionals recommended she be admitted, but her father removed her from the hospital without a medical release, Pace said.
“Given the extent of the injuries that were observed just by medical professionals, they immediately contacted police, and police immediately and relentlessly began looking for this couple,” Pace said.
Investigators were able to track the couple down to a home in Northwest Philadelphia at around 3 p.m. on Saturday, where the parents were taken into custody, Pace said.
NBC10 was outside the home near East Penn and Magnolia streets in Northwest Philadelphia at around 5 p.m. on Saturday, and found officers still working there.
The baby girl has been returned to CHOP, where she is receiving medical care, Pace said.
“The child has clear indications of physical abuse, and the extent of that physical abuse is still under evaluation at the hospital at this time by medical professionals at CHOP,” Pace said.
The couple taken into custody have not been identified at this time, and the investigation continues.
This is a developing story; check back for more details.