Bragg soldier charged with abusing infant son

Steve Ray Bravo, 24, of 700 Wellons Ave., was arrested Monday night on a charge of child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury. He was being held in the Cumberland County jail under a $75,000 bond.

Bravo and the baby's mother, Krystal Cruz, took the child to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center early Thursday, saying he wasn't breathing properly, police said. Hospital staff determined that the boy had suffered major brain injuries, and they notified police, saying the injuries weren't the result of an accident.

An arrest warrant states the infant also suffered a torn retina and bruising, swelling and redness in the forehead and nose.

Police say the injuries occurred three days before the couple went to the hospital.

The baby was listed in critical but stable condition Tuesday at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

District Court Judge Luis Olivera ordered that Bravo, a specialist assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion at Fort Bragg, be confined to barracks on post if he is able to post bond. The judge also warned Cruz that she would be held in contempt of court if she tries to contact Bravo if he's released from jail.

Spring Lake Police Chief Troy McDuffie said the case remains under investigation but declined to say whether Cruz would be charged.