Being a parent is difficult. The stress of parenting can weigh more heavily on people experiencing mental health issues, financial hardship, or relationship strain. But none of these factors are valid excuses for child abuse.
Heartbreakingly, a young mother named Alicia Brea not only allegedly abused her baby, but she also took photos that appear to show the acts of violence. She sent the disgusting pictures to a few individuals, and one of them called the police. Now, the 18-year-old mom has been arrested and faces serious charges.
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Alicia Brea was arrested on May 9, 2024, after allegedly sending a friend photos that appear to show her stomping on her baby's face.
Police in Hollywood, Florida, arrested Brea on May 9, after she allegedly sent photos that appear to show her stomping on her 10-month-old baby's face. She sent the photos to a friend and her child's father. Shortly before 6 p.m., the friend called 911 after receiving the pictures, according to an arrest report, per WPLG. Now, the young mom faces one count of child abuse without great bodily harm.
She was reportedly upset at her baby's father.
As detailed in an arrest affidavit, Brea was reportedly angry at her child's father.
“[Brea] stated she was upset with her baby’s father and sent him a picture of her stepping [with her right foot] on the baby’s head to see if the baby’s father would come back to her,” deputies wrote, per Law & Crime. “[Brea] stated she and the baby’s father had broken up earlier today and [she] was very upset.”
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Police did not find 'visible injuries' to the baby.
The police report stated that officers did not find "visible injuries" on Brea's baby. While speaking with law enforcement, Brea said she also sent pictures to the friend and her baby's father showing the child was not harmed. The young mom also claimed she "would never hurt the baby."
However, police discovered more evidence in her phone.
During the police encounter, Brea signed a consent form allowing law enforcement to look at messages and data on her phone, Law & Crime reported. An officer discovered a photo of her stepping on her child's face. In that picture, the baby wore the same clothing that officers observed them wearing when they arrived at Brea's house.
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Brea's baby is now in the custody of Child Protective Services.
After Brea was released, she was fitted with a judge-ordered GPS monitor to track her location, WPLG reported. She was forbidden from contacting her child and required to undergo a mental health evaluation. Furthermore, she must follow recommendations given by the doctor of that screening. Brea's baby is currently in the custody of Child Protective Services.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
