Danbury school officials and Danbury Hospitals contacted state children's welfare officials after an 8-year-old student arrived at school with severe blisters and injuries to their left foot. The child was taken from school to the Danbury Hospital by ambulance.
Members of the Danbury Police Department's Special Victims Unit investigated the incident on Wednesday after state Department of Children and Family called the Danbury Police.
The child reported to the school nurse and hospital staff that a male who had stayed at their house had caused the injuries to their foot by putting an unknown substance on their toes and in their shoes. Vilma Samaniego, a female relative of the child met with the child at the hospital. The child immediately changed their story about how the injuries were sustained. A medical cause for the injuries could not be determined, but based on the student's initial statements and the finding of a foreign substance in their shoes it was established that a crime had been committed.
The suspect was identified as Nelson Samaniego, 44, of New Haven. Nelson Samaniego was located at his place of employment by officers from the New Haven Police Department where he was taken into custody.
Nelson Samaniego was turned over to detectives from the Danbury Special Victims Unit. Nelson Samaniego was charged with risk of injury to a minor, second-degree assault, and cruelty to persons. He was held on a $250,000 bond.
Vilma Samaniego, 30, of Danbury, was also charged with risk of injury to a minor, interfering with the duties of a police officer, and hindering prosecution. She was held on a $50,000 bond.
Both were arraigned Thursday at Danbury Superior Court and are current being held on bond by the Department of Corrections.
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