Milwaukee man arrested for child abuse, neglecting a child

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – A Milwaukee man is facing charges for physically abusing and neglecting a child.

According to a criminal complaint, Gerardo Abrego is facing two counts of physical abuse of a child and neglecting a child.

Court documents state Abrego and his girlfriend, Raquel Varela, brought a 3-year-old child to a local hospital on January 22.

The child had burns, bruises and fractures.

The criminal complaint states Abrego and Varela first told authorities the burn on the child’s face was caused by Monistat cream.

Upon further investigation, Varela told authorities Abrego heated a washcloth in the microwave and then put the washcloth on the child’s face causing the burn. Abrego later admitted to heating the washcloth and putting it on the child. He also told authorities he was frustrated with the child for touching the burn and pushed the child against a wall. He said he thinks that action could have caused the fractures.

If convicted, Abrego faces more than 40 years in prison and more than $200,000 in fines. Varela is charged with two counts of child neglect. If convicted, she faces 18 years in prison and $35,000 in fines.