Merced couple charged with abusing 3 children after paramedics rushed one child to hospital

Fresno, Calif. (KFSN) -- Ashlee Riotutar, 26, and 27-year-old Matthew Flores are being charged with abusing their children after first responders rushed their 5-year-old to the hospital for a brain bleed.

Emergency workers arrived at the couple's home where they found the young girl unconscious, that is when they also they noticed suspicious marks on the bodies of her other siblings.

"Bruises that have been there for a long period of time that were starting to heal-plus new bruises that they found on the child's body. The injuries we were concerned about where the bleeding injuries coming from the child's head," said Deputy Daryl Allen.

The 5-year-old was rushed to Valley Children's Hospital in Madera to undergo surgery. Her other siblings were turned over to Child Protective Services. According to Flores' booking information--he also faces a charge of assaulting the child.

Burke John says he lives next door and he was shocked when he saw the sheriff's deputy's cars pulling up at the home.

"I never heard the kids screaming or anything--I don't know the people, but it was surprising," said John.

Deputies say Flores was the caller asking for help. They are not saying how the young girl received the head injury, but deputies do say her siblings were home when it happened and spoke with detectives.

They are in the process of filing the charges and say it is a case they are not taking lightly.

"You have an obligation to get your children out of a situation where they're being abused--they're being molested-- you have an obligation to your children to make sure they're safe," said Deputy Allen.