A Murrieta woman was arrested Wednesday for allegedly starving and physically abusing her 3-year-old twin sons after one of the boys was found to weigh only 15 pounds and his brother showed signs of a fractured jaw.
Courtney Lynn Stewart, 24, was booked on suspicion of willful harm or injury to a child and corporal punishment or injury to a child, according to a news release from the Murrieta Police Department.
The investigation began Nov. 7 when officers were called to Rancho Springs Hospital regarding a 3-year-old boy who was brought into the emergency room in critical condition.
The hospital staff observed several suspicious bruises on the child as well as a severe malnutrition, noting that the boy weighed less than 15 pounds, the release stated.
The child was later transferred to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego where he remained hospitalized Wednesday.
At the family’s home, investigators located the boy’s twin brother who also appeared to be suffering from malnutrition, the release stated.
The second child was also taken to a hospital where an examination revealed medical neglect as well as a fractured jaw, according to the release.
Anyone with information was urged to contact Detective Jeremy Durrant at 951-461-6354.
You can also provide information anonymously through the “We Tip” program by calling 1-800-78-CRIME.