Man, 20, 'beat girlfriend's crying baby with a computer tablet in a pillow case'

  • Enrique Santiago, 20, accused of repeatedly beating his girlfriend's 10-week-old son, Brendan Joseph
  • He allegedly shook, squeezed and slammed the infant since birth
  • On December 26, Santiago allegedly hit the boy with a computer tablet
  • The alleged attack caused brain and retinal bleeding and several bodily fractures
  • Brendan could have lasting disabilities
  • Police did not confirm if Santiago is the baby's father

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 16:09 EST, 3 January 2014 | UPDATED: 16:09 EST, 3 January 2014


A Massachusetts man has been accused of smashing a computer tablet against the face of his girlfriend's newborn following about two months of ongoing abuse. 

Enrique Santiago, 20, has been charged with multiple counts of assault for repeatedly squeezing, shaking and slamming 10-week-old Brendan Joseph while his girlfriend was at work.

He was arrested after allegedly hitting the baby with a computer tablet in a pillow case on December 26 because he wouldn't stop crying. The infant was rushed to hospital with brain swelling, retinal bleeding and multiple fractures.

Horrific: Enrique Santiago, 20 (left) has been accused of beating his girlfriend's newborn son (right) since birth

Horrific: Enrique Santiago, 20 (left) has been accused of beating his girlfriend's newborn son (right) since birth

Enrique Santiago
Enrique Santiago

Enrique Santiago: He has been accused of repeatedly beating the baby boy since birth

Nashua Patch reported the baby's mother, Maria Tata, rushed him to a Boston hospital, where he is in a critical but stable condition.

The little boy is expected to survive but is likely to have lasting disabilities.

 

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The hospital notified police because the baby's injuries were so severe. His face, ear and buttocks were bruised, and further examination revealed he had older injuries including fractured ribs.

'This was a pattern of abuse that increased over time and culminated with Mr. Santiago striking the child in the head with an iPad-type tablet which was in a pillow case,' Nashua, N.H., police Lt. Francis Sullivan told Boston Herald.

Distressing: Enrique Santiago and Maria Tata pictured with baby Brendan

Distressing: Enrique Santiago and Maria Tata pictured with baby Brendan

Police did not say whether Santiago was the baby's father, but only identified him as the boyfriend of the baby's mother.

Santiago frequently posted updates on his Facebook page about how much he enjoyed babysitting his little 'son' Brendan.

'Home with my son missing my wifey cant wait to see her — feeling happy,' he wrote on December 20.

'Home chillin with my babe and the little man having quality time. — feeling wonderful,' Santiago posted on December 7.

Santiago pleaded not guilty in Nashua district court on Monday to a dozen counts of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree assault. He was held on a $1 million bond.

Lawrence police arrested Santiago on Monday on a fugitive warrant.


Comments (58)

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Oh look guys, another story about a boyfriend beating a girlfriends baby. Why do girls put their love life before their child's safety. Marry stable loving men, before having kids.

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Maybe she believed he was a good parent?

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Ruth, you have posted multiple times here defending her and the boyfriend. The stats of boyfriends abusing their girlfriends child are through the roof. There is no way she didnt spot the signs of abuse since birth on a child. I noticed when my child had a minor splotch on his skin. She didnt spot bruised bum, broken ribs and other abuse? Stop defending him, Ruth.

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Both should go to jail for a long long time, be a man in jail and tell them why your serving NOT.

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2 of 3 repliesSee all replies

Ruth, she knew, she knew. Don't defend her.

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Ruta do you have a child for this idiot or do you know him?? How can you possibly defend either one of the them??

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Maybe, it is because she does not use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. I recognize that the content of her comment is heartfelt and sincere, however, despite her intentions the fact of the matter is that she doesn't know how to correctly write in English. I would assume that like myself, most people base their ratings on things like spelling and grammar, and if these things are done properly then they will rate the content. You can't rate the content of something if it isn't presented in the correct way. If there are errors in the presentation of an idea, how can you take the presenter, and by extension the content of the presentation seriously?

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Are you high

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how horrible people do that to innocent babies

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I was so protective over my newborns that I used to watch anyone who handled them like a hawk even my husband and mother! I left baby no 3 with my parents in law for about an hour when he was 6 weeks old and I was fretting the whole time though I knew they wouldn't do anything to hurt him. Probably the boyfriend took over baby changing/washing duties to hide his abuse. I hope Brendan proves the doctors wrong and makes a full recovery.

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What is this world coming to hurting baby's is sick n the mother must of known baby would of had bruising somewhere hope they get what's coming to them both rot in hell just breaks my heart the ppl can hurt baby's or kids end of

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2 of 3 repliesSee all replies

A baby has been disgustingly abused, a person comments to claim their disgust and all you can think about is that persons grammar and use of the English language. It's a sorry state of affairs when someone cannot express their opinion without the spelling/grammar police turning up. A little bit insensitive don't you think or is everyone over 50 more bothered about the English language than what this child has endured?!

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A baby has been disgustingly abused, a person comments to claim their disgust and all you can think about is that persons grammar and use of the English language. It's a sorry state of affairs when someone cannot express their opinion without the spelling/grammar police turning up. A little bit insensitive don't you think or is everyone over 50 more bothered about the English language than what this child has endured?!

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Oh please let one of his real life homies smash his face in with a tablet, please please please!

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If his homies r unavailable I volunteer 2 do the SMASHING! What a POS.

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my heart goes out to little Brendan, I pour every ounce of a love I have over and I pray that you never have endure such pain ever again...hopefully whoever ends up taking care of you showers you with nothing but love and cares for you....I hope what the doctors say are wrong...I hope you grow to be an amazing young man with no disabilities

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2 of 4 repliesSee all replies

Maybe, it is because she cannot use proper grammar and punctuation. I don't care how heartfelt or sincere her comment is, although that is very nice. The fact of the matter is she doesn't know how to speak English correctly.

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Stephen you're an idiot.

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hm.. Massachusetts isn't that far from me, I'll consider making a visit ....disgusting on both counts how can he do that and how can that child of a mother not notice any bruises or anything on her son! you've go to be kidding me! My son does any little funny sound and I feel like something is wrong....this story has me sick to my stomach and I will follow up with it cause there will be justice served for this baby! and I hope they take this child from them and any other they ever have after him...

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Both the parents need to be lobotomized

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2 of 3 repliesSee all replies

Why both the mother didn't do anything? She might not have notice the child was being abused especially if their were no marks on the body. It amazes me how you have to also blame the mother who did nothing. As if the father can't be blamed without blaming the mother.

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Oh my goodness Ruta, are you completely stupid! Have you ever even seen a baby much less held one, they are very delicate any little mark would show up! She knew..I have no doubt! Stop defending these baby killers!!!

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