Man Charged In Brutal Beating Of Girl, 12, With Belt: Police

OAKDALE, CT — Recently, police were told by social workers that a local child, 12, was possibly hurt by a family member. Montville Police patrol and detectives investigated, state police said, and after a number of interviews, they learned that a child was repeatedly struck with a leather belt. Police said the child suffered "significant physical injury."

Montville Police submitted an arrest warrant affidavit to the Norwich Superior court on March 9, 2020 which was granted. Jose Morales, 39, of Black Ash Road, Oakdale, turned himself in Monday.

According to the arrest warrant, the girl told her school nurse she'd fallen in a tub after bruises were seen on her body. The girl had bruising and broken skin on her arms, around her ribs and on her side down toward her hip. When a teacher and nurse said the injuries needed to be reported she said, "Oh, please don't. It will only make it worse." A very disturbing account of what Morales is alleged to have done to her can be read the arrest warrant below.

Arrest Montville Child Abuse by Ellyn Santiago on Scribd

The girl has been relocated with family in New London.

He has been charged with cruelty to persons, risk of injury to a minor, third-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree unlawful restraint and disorderly conduct.

According to Connecticut State Police, he's being held on $150,000 bail. He is prohibited from coming in contact with the child.