Girl, 4, critically injured in alleged child abuse case in Thousand Oaks
A 4-year-old girl remained in critical condition Wednesday after her father allegedly battered her at their Thousand Oaks home Monday, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
Prosecutors on Wednesday charged the girl's father, 25-year-old Tekquan Alexander, with multiple felonies, including assault on a child causing comatose condition or paralysis, aggravated mayhem, torture, child endangerment and various weapons offenses, according to Ventura County Superior Court records.
During his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon, Alexander pleaded not guilty to all charges, court records show.
A request from the Ventura County District Attorney's Office to deny him bail was approved by Judge Rocky Baio during Wednesday's arraignment. Alexander's bail had initially been set at $500,000 after his arrest.
At around 11:40 a.m. Monday, sheriff's deputies responded to the scene of a medical emergency in the 4100 block of Lemonberry Place. The block is in an enclave of single-family homes that juts north of Erbes Road along the east side of Highway 23. The sheriff's office is contracted to provide police services in Thousand Oaks.
The girl was found unconscious. Ventura County firefighters were performing CPR when deputies arrived and the child was being treated for what were described as "severe injuries" allegedly caused by physical child abuse, according to the sheriff's account. The girl was initially taken by ambulance to Los Robles Regional Medical Center.
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As of Wednesday, she remained in critical condition at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where she was later transferred, said sheriff's Capt. Cameron Henderson.
Alexander was arrested at the scene. When detectives later conducted a warrant search of the home, they reportedly found an unsecured assault-style rifle and handgun in his bedroom. Alexander, a felon, is barred from having guns.
The next court hearing in the case is an early disposition conference scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 in room 37.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Sgt. Hector Macias of the sheriff's major crimes unit at 8050384-4730. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Girl, 4, critically injured in alleged Thousand Oaks child abuse case
