Babysitter facing child abuse charges

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) -  

At this hour, a 10-month-old baby girl is at Riley Hospital for Children undergoing tests to determine the extent of her injuries after police say her babysitter admitted to spanking and slapping the baby.

Police arrested 37-year-old Elia Lara-Garcia early Saturday morning on a preliminary charge of Felony Battery.

Police say the child was taken to the hospital in critical condition after Lara-Garcia reported the baby girl had gone limp in her arms. Detectives and Child Protective Services workers questioned the baby's father and baby sitter, Lara-Garcia. One of the detectives on the case told 24-Hour News 8 that Lara-Garcia admitted to "spanking and slapping the baby" and "throwing the baby in the air to make her happy."

Doctors who examined the girl found bruising on the baby's bottom and bruising and cuts to her head. Detectives say the baby may also have bleeding on the brain. The baby is undergoing tests and x-rays to determine the full extent of her injuries.

Meantime, Elia Lara-Garcia remains in the Marion County jail waiting for her initial court hearing and formal charges.

24-Hour News 8’s Gene Rodriguez is working on this story and will have more details tonight at 5 and 6 p.m.