Sheriff Javier Salazar spoke directly to parents after deputies arrested 21-year-old Jonathan Moreno following an alleged assault that left a two-month-old with a fractured femur, and local support groups and hotlines in Bexar County were highlighted as places to turn for help. The sheriff’s message was blunt and personal, urging caregivers to step away if they feel overwhelmed and pointing to resources like the National Parent Helpline, Family Violence Prevention Services, and the Bexar County Family Justice Center for support.
The arrest of Jonathan Moreno came after investigators say he admitted to squeezing his infant’s leg in a moment of frustration, an act that led to a broken femur in a two-month-old child. Sheriff Javier Salazar announced the arrest and used the situation to appeal directly to the community, framing the incident as a warning about how quickly stress can turn dangerous in the household. The focus was on immediate safety for the child and on practical steps parents can take when they feel they’re losing control.
Salazar did not hold back in his remarks. “I pray that baby makes a full recovery,” he said, and he reminded listeners, “There’s nothing worth injuring, hurting, shaking a crying baby.” Those lines were part admonition and part plea, and they were delivered with the kind of urgency you hear from someone who’s dealt with similar family crises in the community. His words aimed to cut through any sense of shame and get parents to choose help over harm.
He went on to speak from personal experience, recognizing how exhausting and baffling a crying infant can be. “I’m a parent myself,” Salazar said. That admission was meant to normalize the struggle and reduce stigma, making it easier for caregivers to ask for a break or call a friend. The sheriff’s guidance was simple: step away before anger or panic escalates into something tragic.
Salazar offered practical advice for those who reach a breaking point, urging parents to set the baby down in a safe place and take a moment to calm down. “If you reach that breaking point where you feel like you are going to do something silly, and possibly hurt or even kill a baby, walk away,” he warned. He clarified that it’s okay to let an infant cry for a few minutes while the caregiver regains composure and called on family members, friends, or law enforcement as resources to lean on when things feel out of control.
Beyond the immediate plea to walk away and seek support, the sheriff pointed to several local and national resources available to parents and survivors. The National Parent Helpline provides emotional support by phone on weekdays, and local organizations such as Family Violence Prevention Services and the Bexar County Family Justice Center offer wrap-around services to victims of domestic violence and families in crisis. Phone numbers for these services were listed by authorities as practical, direct lines to help in urgent and ongoing situations.
Community agencies emphasized that getting help is not a sign of failure; it’s a safety step. For emergencies, the simple instruction stands: text or call 911. For wrap-around services and shelters, Family Violence Prevention Services can be reached at (210) 733-8810, and the Bexar County Family Justice Center is available at (210) 631-0100. The National Parent Helpline was also highlighted as a source of emotional support at 1-855-427-2736 during weekday hours.
Officials noted that parenting pressure can spike during crises, and having a list of calming techniques or someone to call can change the trajectory of a household’s stress. State health pages and parenting tip sites offer strategies to soothe a crying baby, and local shelters and justice centers can coordinate longer-term safety planning when necessary. The consistent message from law enforcement and service providers was to replace isolation with outreach before frustration becomes violence.
The arrest tied to this case is a stark reminder that momentary rage can carry lifelong consequences for infants and families, and the sheriff used the incident to push for early intervention and community awareness. Jail or court processes will move forward for Jonathan Moreno, but the immediate priority for authorities remains the infant’s recovery and ensuring the family has access to supportive services. The sheriff’s appeal is straightforward: seek help, walk away if necessary, and use the resources available to keep children safe.
