Toddler in Coma; Officials Probing Possible Abuse : Safety: His parents say he fell from a highchair. A few weeks before, the boy was hospitalized for other serious injuries.

A 17-month-old boy was in a coma Wednesday after his parents told authorities he fell from a highchair, the second serious injury involving the toddler in recent weeks, sheriff’s investigators said.

Last month, the San Clemente boy was rushed to the hospital after falling out a window, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department records.

Investigators are trying to determine whether the boy was abused, Sheriff’s Lt. Ron Wilkerson said.

“At this point, we’re looking at possible abuse, but there have been no arrests at this time,” Wilkerson said. “Usually, if there’s evidence of abuse, there are arrests right away.”

The parents did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday. The toddler was taken by his parents to Children’s Hospital at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center about 7 p.m. Tuesday night, Wilkerson said. The boy’s head injuries caused considerable internal swelling and pressure on his skull, and the trauma was so severe he needs a ventilator to help him breathe, said Andrea Pronk, a hospital spokeswoman.

“Any time a doctor, law enforcement official or teacher sees injuries like that, they have to report it,” Wilkerson said. “Severe injury like that can certainly be interpreted in many ways.”

The boy was a ward of the court at the time he was taken to Children’s Hospital at Mission on Nov. 21 after a “fall out of a window,” according to sheriff’s records.

Hospital records report he had multiple facial wounds, a closed head injury, bruises, scratches and cuts. He was discharged Nov. 23, Pronk said. Wilkerson declined to discuss details about the child or his family.

Three neighbors of the family said Wednesday they have contacted law enforcement officials, social services and a community hotline to report suspected abuse.

Pronk said hospitals are required by law to report suspected abuse but are barred from revealing whether those reports were filed.

“We, the health care workers, are mandated to report suspected incidents. However, I cannot tell you we filed a report in this case or any case,” Pronk said.

Phone calls to the county Social Services Agency, which also handles reports of abuse, were not returned Wednesday.

Times correspondent Jeff Kass contributed to this report.