On Monday, July 27, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Child Abuse Investigation Unit was notified by staff at Gulf Coast Hospital of a baby in the emergency room with a fractured skull. Detectives assigned to the case learned from hospital staff that the baby was suffering from bleeding on both sides of the brain.

The investigation revealed that while the infant had been crying, the suspect, identified as James Joseph Tolentino, 22, of 3762 Central Avenue D, Fort Myers, used extreme forced and slammed the baby into a car seat out of frustration, causing the skull fracture. The infant has been flown to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg due to the severity of the injuries. His condition is unknown at this time.

James Tolentino has been charged with one count of aggravated child abuse and one count of child neglect causing great harm. A records check also revealed an out of county warrant from New Jersey for Failure to Appear.

Tolentino has been transported to the Lee County Jail for booking.

Source: Lee County Sheiff’s Office