Cops: Dad Punched Baby, Causing 17 Broken Bones

Jose Orta-Santana is charged with one count of first degree assault and one count of second degree assault

A New Hampshire man is accused of assaulting his 3-month-old son, fracturing the boy's skull and numerous other bones in his body.

Jose Orta-Santana, 25, of 275 Great Bay Woods, Newmarket, is charged with one count of first degree assault and one count of second degree assault. He was ordered held on $100,000 cash bail at his arraignment on Thursday.

Court documents obtained by the Union Leader show that Orta-Santana admitted to punching his son in the head and squeezing him because he wasn't getting enough sleep and the baby was frustrating him. "I know, I hit him a few times and I'm sorry," he told police.

Newmarket Police said they were notified on Tuesday night that a possible child abuse victim was being treated at Boston Children's Hospital. The boy had sustained a skull fracture under what were considered to be suspicious circumstances.

Police investigators traveled to the hospital on Wednesday and gathered evidence, learning that the child had sustained severe injuries and had 17 broken bones throughout his body.

Newmarket Police Chief Kevin Cyr told the Union Leader it is one of the most serious child abuse cases he's seen in his 30-year career.

The investigation is ongoing.

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