A West Valley City man was charged Wednesday with multiple counts of child abuse for his alleged involvement in serious injuries his 13-month-old child suffered.

The child's mother returned from a vacation to pick up her children where they had been staying at the father's home, 6140 W. Powderwood Drive, to find her youngest child appearing lifeless and unresponsive at the bottom of the stairs, according to charges filed in 3rd District Court.

Humberto Alvarez, 22, said in a statement that he had hit the child on the rear with a sandal at some point from Oct. 22-30. But a pediatrician who examined the child said the child suffered wounds that are inconsistent with explanations of an accidental injury from the defendant or his family, the charges state.

The child suffered an impact injury to the upper back part of the scalp; a healing fracture of the tibia and fibula of the left leg; multiple bruises in various locations on the body, including the side of the mouth where tape seems to have been applied; and an abrasion of the cornea, according to prosecutors.

Dr. Kristine Campbell of Primary Children's Medical Center said the injuries likely were a result of inflicted trauma caused by another person. The tape on the mouth was likely a life-threatening act, the charges state.

Alvarez was charged with three counts of child abuse, a second-degree felony, and two counts of child abuse, a class A misdemeanor.

— Lana Groves