Marine Arrested for Assaulting a Baby and Leaving Her in a Coma

JOSHUA TREE-(VVNG.com): On Wednesday, November 19th deputies from the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s station received a report of a 5 ½ month old baby girl taken to High Desert Medical Center suffering from a brain hemorrhage. The victim was flown to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. According to doctors, the baby girl was comatose as a result of her injuries. Since the injuries appeared to be consistent with those resulting from child abuse detectives from the Crimes against Children Detail were called to assist with the investigation.

Through investigation, the suspect identified as 24-year-old John Rafeal Jeter, a Marine stationed at 29 Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. The victim was the daughter of Jeter’s girlfriend.

On November 21, 2014 Investigators conducted interviews with Jeter.  He was subsequently arrested and booked into Central Detention Center.  Jeter was booked for PC 273ab(b), Assault resulting in death, comatose state, or paralysis of a child under 8 years of age.  Jeter is being held on $500,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on December 9, 2014 in Morongo Basin Superior Court.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Detective Jacob Gault or Sergeant Dana Foster (909) 387-3651.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.