Suspect: I didn't break baby's bones

ALPINE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A 3-month-old boy suffered 14 broken bones last week. But the main suspect -- the boyfriend of the child's mother -- told 24 Hour News 8 he isn't responsible for hurting the baby.

The boy, identified only as Bryson, suffered broken ribs, broken arms and a broken leg.

Andrew Valdez, 24, is accused of hurting the baby. He was booked at the Kent County Correctional Facility on Monday and charged with second-degree child abuse and being a habitual offender. He was released from jail on a $10,000 bond.

Valdez was involved with the baby's mother. Police said he is not Bryson's father.

Valdez said he was quite surprised when he was placed under arrest after interviewing with detectives.

"I feel like I'm being just thrown under the rug, like this is what I do," said Valdez.

Valdez told 24 Hour News 8 he first learned Bryson had been injured when the baby's mother came home to York Creek Apartments in Alpine Township, where police said the abuse took place, last week. He said she was frantically explaining what had happened.

"She came home flying in the house, screaming about the baby and that the babysitter. ... And that something's wrong with the baby," described Valdez.

The next day, Valdez was contacted by sheriff's detectives. He went voluntarily to speak with them about the incident when they asked.

Investigators said Valdez admitted to the abuse in that interview, though they wouldn't disclose details.

But Valdez said he never admitted to anything.

He said he's one of many people who are very much concerned about baby Bryson. Valdez has children of his own, and said he would never hurt a baby.

"The fact is that there's a baby that has broken bones. We need to focus on who the person that really done this," said Valdez. "This is a baby that couldn't defend himself."

The baby's mother declined to comment on Tuesday.