WEST JORDAN, Utah — A young couple and a grandmother from West Jordan are facing first-degree felony charges after investigators say they severely abused a 2-week-old baby girl, causing multiple broken bones and bruising across her body.
According to charging documents filed Tuesday in 3rd District Court, Caydin Thomas Turner, 22, Leimoani Arryana Lemau, 25, and Ana Moani Lemau, 44, were each charged with 16 counts of aggravated child abuse.
Disturbing Injuries Discovered
The case began in June 2025, when the infant was taken to a local hospital with visible bruises on her face, as well as injuries that doctors immediately described as “abnormal.” Further examinations revealed fractures in both legs and later rib fractures, all consistent with “inflicted trauma,” according to a report from the Center for Safe and Healthy Families at Primary Children’s Hospital.
Doctors also noted an “abnormality” on the baby’s buttocks and said the pattern of injuries could not be explained by accidental causes.
When questioned, Turner told investigators the baby had been “constipated since birth”, but could not explain how she sustained bruising on her face. The mother and grandmother — who also cared for the child — similarly said they had no explanation for the injuries.
The parents reportedly suggested that the bruises could have come from the newborn “scratching herself.” However, medical professionals ruled that out, noting that infants at that age lack the strength or coordination to cause such bruising.
“Babies are not capable of causing bruising like that,” one doctor said, describing the marks as “weird and abnormal.”
Medical Findings Confirm Abuse
Doctors later performed follow-up scans and found additional injuries, including rib fractures that appeared to have occurred at different times — a clear sign of repeated trauma.
The Center for Safe and Healthy Families concluded that the injuries were consistent with intentional harm and not with any known medical condition or birth-related complications.
All three adults were charged based on their shared access to and responsibility for the newborn during the period when the injuries occurred.
Resources for Families in Crisis
Authorities emphasized that there are safe, legal ways to surrender a newborn or seek help before abuse occurs.
- Utah’s Safe Haven Law allows parents to anonymously relinquish a newborn at any hospital in the state without fear of prosecution. Call 866-458-0058 or visit utahsafehaven.org for information.
- The Family Support Center offers free crisis nurseries and counseling at 15 statewide locations. Call 801-955-9110 or visit familysupportcenter.org.
- Prevent Child Abuse Utah and the Office of Home Visiting provide home-based support, parenting resources, and education for new families.
Officials also urge anyone suspecting child abuse to contact the Utah Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-855-323-DCFS (3237) or the Utah Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465) for confidential, 24-hour help.
Ongoing Investigation
The infant has since been placed under the care of child protective services, and investigators say additional medical testing is underway to determine whether there are older or healing injuries.
Prosecutors have not indicated whether any of the defendants have prior criminal histories. All three remain under investigation as authorities build the case.
