Suspected Of Torturing Baby Daughter, Yucca Valley Man Arrested: Cops

YUCCA VALLEY, CA — A 31-year-old Yucca Valley father was behind bars Monday following his arrest on suspicion of abusing and torturing his baby daughter, authorities announced.

Drew Michael Hellerud was picked up Friday at 56311 Pima Trail and taken into custody on suspicion of child endangerment, aggravated mayhem, torture, and child endangerment, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department announced.

His arrest follows a sheriff's department investigation that began May 23 when authorities learned of allegations of physical abuse to Hellerud's 3-month-old daughter.

The baby was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center Pediatric Intensive Care Unit with life-threatening injuries consistent with child abuse, according to the sheriff's department.

"Detectives identified the infant's father, Drew Hellerud, as the suspect," the department reported.

Hellerud is being held at the sheriff's Central Detention Center in lieu of a $1 million bail bond.

Further information about the case and Hellerud's background were unavailable.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Wendy Winegar of the Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.