2 people arrested for child abuse in Merced County

MERCED COUNTY (KFSN) -- Two people are in police custody in connection with a disturbing case of child abuse in Merced County.

Investigators arrested a mother, Ashlee Riotutar, and a step-father, Matthew Flores, after finding several injuries on a five and seven-year-old.

Authorities said the five-year-old girl had been found unresponsive with head trauma and had to have brain surgery. Child Protective Services then found injuries on her older brother.

A one-year-old child was also taken from the house.

Investigators said the case is ongoing and they could make future arrests.