The trial of a Bethlehem man charged with breaking the femur of his then-girlfriend’s 2-year-old son in Minersville in 2019 began Monday in Schuylkill County Court.

Carlos Jerel Cruz, 29, is charged with one felony count of aggravated assault and one misdemeanor count each of endangering the welfare of children, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Minersville police Patrolman Jeffrey Bowers charged Cruz, who was staying with the child’s mother, Cindia Jaramillo, between Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, 2019.

Jaramillo, 30, told the court that she was working as an entertainer at Platinum Plus, a gentleman’s club in Allentown, when Cruz called her and said that her son had a bump on his head after climbing over a child safety gate and falling down a set of stairs. The woman also said Cruz sent her a picture of the gate.

She recalled telling Cruz to examine the boy thoroughly. She went back to work after being told he was fine, with the exception of the bump, and that the boy was once again sleeping.

Jaramillo said she returned home around 3:30 a.m. Sept. 1 and at around 5:30 a.m. her son began screaming.

She checked his diaper but noticed swelling on his leg, and she and Cruz took the child to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Schuylkill.

Jaramillo said medical staff determined the child had a fractured left femur and the boy was transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.

Jaramillo said she told hospital personnel she was home when the boy was injured. She said she lied because she was scared of losing custody of her son because of prior interactions with Berks County Children & Youth Services, and that Cruz did not tell her to lie.

Under questioning by Assistant District Attorney David Noon, Jaramillo said she also lied to investigators and during an interview with state police Cpl. Wesley Levan.

She finally “came clean” in a second interview with Levan and told him she was at work when the child was injured.

Jaramillo told Clarke that she has three other children ages 13, 11 and 9.

She said the 11-year-old was taken from her by children and youth services when the girl was 6 or 7 and has since been adopted.

The youngest, she said, was taken from her when the girl was about 4 months old and now lives with her grandmother. Jaramillo said children and youth services at the time said she abused the child.

Assistant Public Defender Hank J. Clarke, asked Jaramillo if it is possible the child was screaming because of a wet diaper and not because he had been abused and injured by Cruz.

He then asked Jaramillo if she became upset after finding the wet diaper, was extremely tired and became angry.

“It is possible you got physical with him?” he asked.

If the child had such a severe injury, how he could be sleeping soundly when she got home around 3:30 a.m. and then began screaming uncontrollably around 5:30 a.m.? Clark asked.

Asked if Cruz had any contact with the child after she returned home around 3:30 a.m. the woman said he did not.

Cruz said that he was the only adult inside the home during the time period, heard a thump and found the child had fallen down the stairs.

Levan recalled Cruz telling him that “most of the story is true,” referring to the part of Jaramillo being home at the time being incorrect.

The corporal also said Cruz denied hurting the boy.

“He denied any involvement or causing the injury,” said Levan, adding thatCruz stuck to his story throughout the interview.

The trial resumes at 9 a.m. Tuesday before Judge Christopher W. Hobbs.