Twentynine Palms Marine Arrested For Allegedly Putting Infant Girl In Coma

JOSHUA TREE (CBSLA.com) — A Marine Wednesday was being held on $500,000 bail after he allegedly inflicted injuries on a 5-month-old girl left her in a coma.

John Rafeal Jeter, of Joshua Tree, was arrested on Nov. 21 for assault resulting in death, comatose state or paralysis, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said.

Deputies were alerted on Nov. 19 about a report of a 5-and-a-half-month-old baby that was suffering from a brain hemorrhage.

The child was initially taken to High Desert Medical Center before she was flown to Loma Lina University Medical Center.

"Doctors said the victim was in a state of comatose as a result of her injuries. Detectives from the Crimes against Children Detail assisted with the investigation," Det. Jacob Gault said.

An investigation led authorities to Jeter, 24, who was the boyfriend of the child's mother.

The marine, stationed at Twentynine Palms, was arrested on Nov. 21. He was scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 9.