Video: Press Conference After Monroe County Deputy Arrested, Charged in Infant Abuse Case

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 21: Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marté, and Kevin Getz, public information officer of the Indiana State Police, ISP Post 33, speak to the media during a press conference at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Bloomington, Ind. The press conference followed the arrest of probationary deputy Noel Hernandez Jr., Hernandez, 25, who was charged with multiple felonies, including neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury, after his infant child was found with serious injuries. (Video by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)

Noel Hernandez Jr., Hernandez booking photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A probationary deputy with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested and fired after an investigation revealed an infant in his care suffered multiple injuries, some in various stages of healing, according to an MCSO press release.

According to the press release from the MCSO, on May 19, 2025, authorities received a report from IU Health Bloomington Hospital regarding a severely injured infant. The child, who was determined to be the son of Probationary Deputy Noel Hernandez Jr., was found to have multiple injuries consistent with abuse.

Due to the suspicious nature of the injuries, Sheriff Ruben Marté immediately requested an independent investigation by the Indiana State Police and placed Hernandez on administrative leave, suspending his police authority the same day.

Following an investigation, a Monroe County judge issued a warrant for Hernandez’s arrest on May 21, citing probable cause for the following felony charges under Indiana law:

• Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Catastrophic Injury (I.C. 35-46-1-4)
• Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (I.C. 35-46-1-4)
• Aggravated Battery (I.C. 35-42-2-1.5)
• Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury to a Person Less Than 14 Years Old (I.C. 35-42-2-1)

Hernandez, who joined the Sheriff’s Office on March 31, 2025, was still in the early stages of his training. Upon his arrest, Sheriff Marté immediately terminated his employment.

“The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is fully cooperating with the Indiana State Police investigation,” said the release. “Sheriff Marté remains committed to transparency and holding members of the agency accountable.”

The Indiana State Police is leading the investigation. The MCSO referred questions about the case to the ISP.

The MCSO statement said charges are accusations and Hernandez is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The post Video: Press Conference After Monroe County Deputy Arrested, Charged in Infant Abuse Case first appeared on The Bloomingtonian.