Mother’s boyfriend arrested in beating of infant son and 3-year-old

An 18-month-old and his 3-year-old brother are in the
hospital after allegedly being beaten by their mother’s
boyfriend.

Police responded to a 911 call about an 18-month-old that
would not wake up at a residence in the 1000 block of Panorama Dr. in
Fircrest. When they arrived, they found that the baby
had sustained head trauma and noticed bruising on the
child’s body.

The child was rushed to the hospital where he is in
critical condition. The man who made the call was taken
into custody. Police discovered he was the boyfriend of
the child’s mother, who had been away for the past four
days receiving medical treatment.

The 3-year-old boy’s whereabouts were not known for a
time, but he was found with relatives.

The children’s mother, Heather Berven, says her
boyfriend was supposed to be babysitting her two sons
Thursday.

“I would never leave my babies with somebody I didn’t
trust,” said Berven.

Police have arrested Stephan Perebeynos for
allegedly causing severe head trauma and other injuries to
the infant and the 3-year-old.

“It is the worst feeling in the world,” said Berven. “I
feel like a failure and I just wish my babies didn’t have
to go through that. I wish I could take their pain.”

The 18-month-old is in critical condition at Mary
Bridge Hospital. The 3-year-old is in better condition,
but suffered bruises and trauma. Berven’s 7-year old son
is in protective custody.