FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office has charged 19-year-old Bernard Ivan Alexander with misdemeanor child abuse and felony child abuse inflicting serious injury following an investigation into the physical abuse of a 2 1/2-year-old female.
According to deputies, Alexander recently married the mother of the child but is not the father of the child.
At approximately 3:50 a.m. Tuesday, the child was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center by the mother. A medical examination determined that the child's injuries were not accidental, and the sheriff's office was notified.
Alexander is being held in the Cumberland County Detention Facility under a $175,000 secured bond.
The child was in stable condition at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center on Tuesday night.



![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/share/2012/02/09/10711513/4f348e7981bb5-51x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/out_and_about/2012/02/04/10712136/pics_agunn53833-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.highschoolot.com/asset/content/2012/02/11/10717011/10717011-1328936455-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.highschoolot.com/asset/content/2012/02/11/10717059/10717059-1328939591-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.highschoolot.com/asset/content/2012/02/11/10717043/10717043-1328939633-100x75.jpg)






WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.