Missing Fircrest Toddler Shows Up at Hospital with Serious Injuries, Baby Sibling in Critical Condition After Severely Beaten

Police have arrested 28-year-old Stephan V. Perebeynos for child assault after medics responded to his Fircrest apartment Thursday to find an 18-month-old severely beaten. It was only after the man was taken into custody that investigators realized the boy’s 3-year-old-brother missing.

A tense search for the child ended later this evening when the 3-year-old turned up at Mary Bridge Hospital with serious but none life-threatening injuries, according to KOMO News.

The 18-month-old suffered major head trauma and bruising all over his body. He is currently being treated at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma.

Perebeynos told investigators the boy was kidnapped days before medics responded to his apartment on the 1000 block of Panorama Drive when he said he couldn’t wake up the toddler.

The two boys are the sons of Perebeynos’ girlfriend, who was away receiving medical treatment, according to Pierce County Sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer. Perebeynos was watching the two boys, plus another 7-year-old sibling, who is now in protective custody.

Pierce County detectives are seeking information regarding any suspicious behavior by Perebeynos in the last 24 hours to build a case against him. He is 6 feet 1 inches tall and drives a white four-door Pontiac Grand Am. Anyone who has seen his vehicle or who has any information on his recent activity is urged to call 9-11.