Woman sought in girl's injuries turns herself in
The 3-year-old had a fractured skull and burn marks.
By AUSTIN BOGUES
Published July 20, 2007
SPRING HILL - The woman accused of breaking the rib and fracturing the skull of a 3-year-old girl has turned herself in to authorities.
Angela Valenzano, 31, surrendered early Thursday morning at the Hernando County Jail, where she was being held without bail. She is charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse - accused of causing the girl great bodily harm and torturing her.
Authorities had been looking for Valenzano after her boyfriend, Daniel Marvulli, 29, turned himself in Wednesday and was charged with being an accessory after the fact to the abuse.
On July 10, authorities say, Valenzano dropped the child off at Spring Hill Regional Hospital, claiming she had fallen off a bunk bed. She then left the hospital.
A physician examined the girl and discovered significant injuries, including a broken rib, fractured skull, traumatic pancreatitis, circular burns on her feet that may have been caused by cigarettes, and bruises all over her body. The physician determined that the injuries could not have resulted from Valenzano's claim and said they indicated a pattern of abuse.
Shortly after Valenzano fled the hospital, Marvulli arrived, claiming he knew Valenzano only as Angie and that he had no idea what her phone number, address or last name might have been.
He acknowledged that Valenzano took care of the girl while he was at work, but said the only way he was able to contact her was to drive to her house on Meredith Drive.
He later admitted to authorities that she was his girlfriend, but said he didn't believe that Valenzano could have harmed the child.
The couple lived at 1299 Meredith Drive in Spring Hill. According to the sheriff's report, Marvulli took over custody of the 3-year-old several months ago, after her biological mother was incarcerated.
Marvulli has an extensive criminal history, according to his Florida Department of Law Enforcement record.
He has been arrested numerous times during the past 10 years on charges that include aggravated battery on a pregnant woman, possession of marijuana, fleeing law enforcement and a host of probation violations.
Valenzano was charged with perjury in 2001, but the case was dismissed in 2003.
Authorities said Thursday that the 3-year-old girl has been placed in protective custody of the state.
Times researcher Angie Drobnic Holan contributed to this report. Austin Bogues can be reached at abogues@sptimes.com or 352 754-6117.