Detectives from the Pinellas Park Police Department arrested 20 year-old, Anthony Mazzola after detectives say he injured a three months old infant.
On July 11, 2022, patrol units and Child Protection Investigators responded to a local Bay Area hospital for allegations of child abuse. The initial investigation revealed that the victim sustained six fractured ribs earlier in the day at a private residence in Pinellas Park.
Detectives responded to conduct further investigation into how the injuries occurred and through their investigation detectives learned that Mazzola was
in the care and custody of the infant when the injuries occurred.
Based on information obtained during the investigation including the medical examination conducted by medical personnel, the injuries sustained by the victim were consistent with abusive-related trauma which caused the fractured ribs. The infant remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to arrest information, Mazzola admitted to picking up the infant with more force than normal. He stated that the infant was “yelling in my ear” after picking up the victim. He stated that he noticed “bubbling” on the left side of the infant’s back as he was patting him to burp him.
Mazzola was charged with Aggravated Child Abuse and transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.