Telugu Man Arrested In US For Assaulting His Two-year-old Child

Hyderabad: A Telugu man, 44-year-old Kiran Netha Pasunuri, has been arrested in the United States after he allegedly assaulted his two-year-old child, leaving the toddler with life-threatening injuries, according to police and court records. Pasunuri was arrested on June 25 by the Garner police in North Carolina following an investigation into the child's injuries.

Police said that the two-year-old was taken to hospital for treatment of severe injuries. Investigators worked with medical professionals and the Wake county district attorney's office to determine how the child was hurt.

According to court documents, the toddler suffered a massive subdural haematoma, or bleeding on the brain, along with haemorrhaging in the retinas. The child also sustained compression fractures to several vertebrae in the back. The injuries were so serious that doctors at WakeMed Hospital had to carry out life-saving surgery, including removing a portion of the child's skull to relieve pressure on the brain.

Investigators also accused Pasunuri of failing to seek timely medical care for the child. Court records did not state how the injuries were allegedly caused or how much time passed before the child was taken to hospital.

Pasunuri has been charged with two counts of felony intentional child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury and two counts of felony negligent child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury. According to media reports, he appeared before the court after his arrest and was ordered to remain in custody on a secured bail of $2,00,000 (more than Rs 1.9 crore). If released, he will not be allowed to have any contact with the child.

His next court appearance has been scheduled for July 20. Authorities have not released further details about the child's current condition, and the investigation into the case is continuing.