UPDATE: 25-year-old man in custody in connection with Sheboygan child abuse investigation, toddler remains in ICU
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - A local toddler is in the hospital after suffering what police are calling substantial abuse.
The child’s caregiver is behind bars.
Charlie Rose is only about three years old, but she is fighting for her life at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
“We’re going to do whatever it takes to try and determine exactly what happened to her,” said Lt. Doug Teunissen of the Sheboygan Police Department.
Charlie was brought into a Sheboygan hospital unresponsive on Friday, February 8th.
She was then airlifted to Children’s.
Police say the little girl had “substantial injuries consistent with abuse,” that included “blunt force trauma.”
“It was reported to us that the injuries were probably life threatening and critical,” said Lt. Teunissen.
The man who brought her in, is the 25-year-old boyfriend of Charlie’s mother.
After hearing what happened, police took him into custody on a probation hold which gave them time to talk to hospital staff about Charlie’s injuries.
Now, they are recommending charges of child abuse.
Police say they have been in contact with Charlie’s mother.
The child’s father took to social media after this happened, calling this a nightmare.
He also shared posts as far back as last year that said he feared for his daughter’s safety, and said he tried so hard to help her.
For now, Charlie’s parents are by her bedside while police keep investigating.
“Anytime there is a serious threat of life or injury to a child, our officers and our community take that really serious and we’re going to respond with as much resources as necessary to try and figure out exactly what happened,” said Lt. Teunissen.
A family member we spoke to said they are grateful for the outpouring of support.
A local business, Java Train, is holding a fundraiser this Sunday for the family.
A GoFundMe has also been set up to help with the cost of the child's recovery.