Southern Utah couple accused of abusing young daughter

CEDAR CITY — A Cedar City couple was arrested after doctors found their 4-month-old daughter had multiple fractures in various stages of healing.

Trevor Dean Noffsinger, 22, and Mariah Faith Calapp, 21, were booked into the Iron County Jail on Tuesday for investigation of seven counts each of aggravated child abuse.

The investigation began in February when the couple's 4-month-old daughter was rushed to the hospital, according to a police booking affidavit.

"At the hospital, X-rays revealed a clavicle fracture and rib fractures in different stages of healing. Medical staff also observed bruising to (the baby's) abdomen and leg. Based on these injuries, medical professionals categorized these injuries as non-accidental," the affidavit states. "Bruising was also found on (the baby's) abdomen as well as patterned bruising consistent with grip or grab marks, including bruising to the palms. These injuries are not consistent with accidental trauma."

Based on the baby's condition, doctors re-examined X-rays taken of the girl in December and discovered "there were, in fact, fractures present," according to the affidavit.

Calapp initially had excuses for what may have caused her daughter's injuries. But when formally questioned by police, "Mariah admitted that she lied to (the nurse) about the cause of (the baby's) injuries. Mariah began indicating that (the baby's) father, Trevor Noffsinger, was the source of the child's injuries," the affidavit states.

When Noffsinger was questioned about the injuries, he stated, "It's us," according to the affidavit. "The only people that it could be, and I admit, it is us. It is nobody else. I'm not trying to pin the blame on anybody else. I'm not trying to … say 'Oh it wasn't me,' I believe it might have been me, honest to God, I believe it might have been me."

However, Noffsinger claimed he did not cause the injuries on purpose and blamed the palm bruising "on not knowing his own strength," the affidavit states.

"Noffsinger admitted to causing the injuries, though claimed they were not intentionally done. Noffsinger gave implausible stories about how the injuries occurred. These excuses involved changing (the baby's) diaper and putting (her) in her car seat too tight."

Police noted in their affidavit that the couple also had an infant son who died in 2024.

"The official autopsy declared that the manner of death could not be determined and the cause of death was sudden unexplained infant death," according to the affidavit.

During her latest interview with police, Calapp says their son had the same palm bruising as their daughter and that their son "died two weeks after the bruising surfaced," the affidavit states.

"In addition to these facts, Noffsinger has a previous child abuse conviction. In that case, the victim was 15 years old. Further, Noffsinger and Mariah have been the subject of several prior domestic violence calls, including a domestic violence call two days before (the baby) was taken to the hospital," police wrote in their affidavit.

Police add that Calapp was her daughter's primary caretaker, "yet continued to expose the child to the environment in which the injuries occurred. Mariah initially gave false explanations to medical staff about the cause of the injuries. Despite these injuries, she took no protective action," according to the affidavit.

Related topics