13-month-old boy assaulted by mother's boyfriend in East Rancho Dominguez

EAST RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 13-month-old boy is in extremely critical condition after his mother's boyfriend allegedly assaulted him in East Rancho Dominguez.

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies from the Compton station responded to a call at 4:25 p.m. Sunday in the 14900 block of South Atlantic Avenue about a baby that wasn't breathing.

Upon arrival, they found the child had visible injuries. The child was taken to a local hospital.

The mother's boyfriend Rodrigo Hernandez, 22, admitted to detectives that he struck the boy multiple times, sheriff's officials said.

The baby's grandfather told Eyewitness News that Hernandez said that he was just playing with the boy.

Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of child abuse and booked at Century Regional Detention Facility. He was held on $100,000 bail.

A 9-year-old girl and two other young children living with the couple were being cared for by family members.

Los Angeles County sheriff's homicide detectives took over the investigation on Monday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact "Crime Stoppers" at (800) 222-8477.