SHOSHONE COUNTY, Idaho — An Idaho State Police trooper is being credited with saving the life of a 2-year-old child, after noticing signs of a severe abuse during a traffic stop in Shoshone County on Tuesday.
According to ISP, the trooper pulled over a van on Interstate 90 for a traffic violation. Inside were four people - two adults and two small children, ages 2 and 1.
Police say the trooper identified signs of physical trauma on a female adult passenger's face, and signs of multiple injuries on the 2-year-old.
The toddler was taken to Sacred Heart Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Spokane, Washington to be treated for life-threatening injuries, including brain injuries. Investigators say the child had numerous visible marks and scars, indicating severe child abuse.
Doctors told ISP that the trooper likely saved the child's life.
Police say they also found methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the van.
The van's driver, 59-year-old Jorge Gonzalez-Vergel, was arrested and booked into the Shoshone County Jail on charges of methamphetamine trafficking and felon in possession of a firearm.
Gonzalez-Vergel is not a suspect in the child abuse case, police said. The Redmond, Washington Police Department is handling the abuse investigation.
The 1-year-old child was taken to Shoshone Medical Center for evaluation and is now in the temporary custody of the State of Idaho.
