2-year-old saved, meth arrest after I-90 traffic stop

KELLOGG — An Idaho state trooper is being credited with saving a 2-year-old’s life following a traffic stop Tuesday in Shoshone County.

The trooper noticed multiple injuries on the toddler, who was in a van with North Dakota plates that the trooper pulled over on Interstate 90 near Pinehurst, according to Idaho State Police.

The trooper conducted the traffic stop after observing the driver, identified as 59-year-old Jorge Gonzalez-Vergel, commit a traffic infraction.

A 32-year-old woman and two babies, ages 1 and 2, were also in the vehicle.

During the stop, the trooper saw signs of physical trauma on the woman’s face and noticed the injuries on the 2-year-old.

Further investigation revealed methamphetamine, marijuana and paraphernalia in the vehicle as well.

Both adults were immediately detained and the 2-year-old was quickly transported, with life-threatening injuries, to Sacred Heart Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Spokane. The toddler showed signs of brain trauma and bore numerous visible marks and scars indicative of severe abuse.

Doctors told ISP that the trooper who stopped the van and looked beyond the traffic stop should be credited with saving the child’s life.

The 1-year-old was transported to Shoshone Medical Center for evaluation and is currently in the temporary custody of the state of Idaho.

The continued investigation into the physical abuse is being conducted by the police department in Redmond, Wash.

At this time, Gonzalez-Vergel is not a suspect in the child abuse case, but he was arrested and booked into the Shoshone County Jail for felony possession of a firearm and trafficking methamphetamine.

ISP Captain John Kempf acknowledged the large role the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare played in handling the situation.

The state police agency did not release the name of the trooper in its news release.