Miami Parents Face Negligence Charges After 4-Month-Old Found with Four Broken Ribs

A four-month-old infant arrived at a hospital in South Florida with four rib fractures, a condition that led to the arrest of her parents on charges of child neglect. The incident occurred when Gabriella Trabrau, 26, and Kevin Carrasco, 27, took the child to Nicklaus Children's Hospital after hearing a cracking sound and observing inconsolable crying, according to police records. Medical examination revealed one rib in the process of healing and three with acute fractures, indicating injuries from different time periods.

The presence of both old and new injuries suggests a pattern of harm rather than a single accidental event. Trabrau and Carrasco live in a gated community in southwest Miami-Dade County. During their court appearance, the judge read the findings into the record, noting that the child was under the exclusive care of the accused at the time the injuries were discovered. The judge stated that while the Department of Children and Families determines long-term custody, the immediate concern was the severity of the trauma sustained by the infant.

Child protection specialists reviewed the case and concluded that the rib fractures resulted from abuse. Carrasco told investigators he believed someone had harmed his daughter but could not identify the specific individual responsible. He denied ever intentionally hurting the child. Trabrau appeared in court with her head down as the judge processed the charges. The judge commented on the severity of the injuries, saying that if she had the authority to decide on contact, she would not allow the parents near the child, but that decision rests with the dependency court after further investigation.

The judge emphasized that the evidence points to abuse, stating, "somebody abused that girl." Both parents were released on $2,500 bail each and were instructed to hire private attorneys. They were ordered to stay away from the infant pending the outcome of the dependency proceedings. The Department of Children and Families has been contacted regarding the current custodial status of the child, but a response was still pending as of Tuesday. The case highlights the specific medical indicators that distinguish accidental injuries from those caused by force applied to an infant's fragile frame.

The distinction between the healing fracture and the acute ones provides a timeline that prosecutors will likely use to argue against a single-incident defense. The parents have been formally charged with child neglect, a count that allows for criminal prosecution even when the exact moment of impact is not witnessed. The bail amount reflects the severity of the injuries but also the preliminary nature of the charges. The hospital team reported that the child was stable upon arrival, though the specific method of injury was not detailed in the initial police report beyond the medical findings.

The case is now in the hands of the Miami-Dade County circuit court, where the dependency proceedings will determine the child's immediate living arrangement. The parents are prohibited from contact with the infant as part of the conditions of their release. The judge's comments served as a strong signal to the dependency court regarding the physical state of the child. No other individuals have been charged in connection with the incident. The hospital did not release a separate statement regarding the specific mechanism of the rib fractures beyond the diagnosis provided to the court.