NEWTON, N.C. -- A Catawba County man is accused of mortally wounding a nearly 2-year-old boy.

Newton police charged Armando Martinez, 27, with felony child abuse on Wednesday. An arrest warrant states Martinez assaulted the child so brutally that he bled from one ear, sustained a spiral fracture to his arm, suffered a traumatic brain injury and developed bruising on his head, genital area and buttocks.

Authorities said Martinez was baby-sitting the child at his East First Street home and is not a relative. That child died in the Intensive Care Unit at Carolinas Medical Center on Thursday afternoon.

Martinez’s neighbor, Paul Forney, said there were always children at the man’s home.

“It’s just unspeakable,” he said when he heard about the arrest. “It’s heart-wrenching, you know. You don’t know what happens at your back door.”

Police said Martinez is also a father of four, with children ages 1 to elementary-school age, which police said makes the allegations even more stunning.

“This is probably the worst case of child abuse that I have personally had experience with ever,” said Lt. Lemuel Martin. “ This is a terrible, terrible tragedy for the boy and his family.

The Department of Social Services said it has dealt with the Martinez previously. After the investigation began on Wednesday, all four of his children were removed from the home.

Police said during their investigation they also learned Martinez is an illegal resident from Mexico.

Martinez's first appearance in court is schedule for Friday. He's being held on a $500,000 bond.

Authorities said more charges are now pending against Martinez.

PDF: Arrest Warrant For Martinez