Milford Police began investigating a child abuse case 2 weeks ago. Here’s what they found

Milford – A local man faces charges of abusing a young child over time. Authorities said.

the police Robson Pereira Silva, 37, was arrested Tuesday night at his apartment on Grove Street.

“This is related to the abuse and neglect of a 7-year-old child,” said Detective Sgt Carlos A. Sousa Jr. “It happened more than once.”

Police have not released the nature of the relationship between Silva and the child.

An investigation began about two weeks ago, when the alleged abuse was reported to the state Department of Children and Familywhich contacted the Milford Police Department.

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The victim met with a forensic interviewer in Worcester on Tuesday. It was discovered that Silva had beaten the child with both a belt and a shoe, Sosa said.

Forensic interviewers are trained specifically to interview children who are potential victims of crime.

The child had bruises, cuts and bruises after the beating, Sosa said.

After completing interviews with the child, police obtained a warrant for Silva’s arrest.

They arrested him later Tuesday and charged him with assault and battery by injury to a child; and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a child under 14 years of age.

After his arraignment Wednesday in Milford District Court, Silva was taken into federal custody Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Custody.

An ICE spokesman reached Thursday could not elaborate on why Silva was taken into custody or what his immigration status was.

Silva is due back in Milford court on March 23 for a pre-trial conference.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or [email protected] For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared in the Milford Daily News: Milford police say the man hit the 7-year-old with a belt, shoes