Background: The neighborhood in Wilmington, N.C. where Marion L. Hoffman III and Brittany Marie Zito reside with their child (Google Maps). Insets (left to right): Marion L. Hoffman III and Brittany Marie Zito (New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office).
A North Carolina couple are behind bars after police said that they caused serious injuries to their 2-month-old baby.
Authorities took Marion L. Hoffman III, 27, and his partner, Brittany Marie Zito, 24, into custody on Tuesday after an investigation initiated by the couple bringing their 2-month-old to the ER in July.
Upon examination, the infant was discovered to have multiple fractures, including a skull fracture and femoral break, according to arrest papers referenced by Law&Crime. Police alleged that Hoffman and Zito caused these injuries, leading to their arrests.
On July 3, Hoffman and Zito took their baby to the hospital, reported local NBC affiliate WECT. Arrest documents for the couple detailed injuries including a fractured skull, a broken right thigh bone, and five fractured ribs.
The Wilmington Police Department detectives collaborated with the Department of Social Services to conduct their investigation, culminating in arrest warrants for the parents, according to the TV station.
Both Hoffman and Zito appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday and are detained at New Hanover County Jail with bonds set at $300,000 each. They face severe felony charges for deliberate child abuse resulting in serious physical harm and negligent child abuse with significant injuries.
They are both scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 4. The whereabouts and condition of the baby are not clear.
