By Nick Bohr
Milwaukee, WI (WISN/CNN) - A Milwaukee father pleaded not guilty to child abuse Tuesday, even after admitting to severely injuring his triplet daughters.
Inside their south side home, Milwaukee police say three babies, just two-months-old, were the object of abuse at the hands of their 38-year-old father Steven Sommer.
According to the criminal complaint after the alleged abuse was discovered, Sommer told detectives that he possibly twisted the triplet's legs out of frustration while changing their diapers. The complaint lists at least 10 fractured bones caused by a twisting force.
Police say Sommer told them he did this maybe five or six times and "they would often begin to cry to the point that they would lose their voice as their faces turned red in pain and agony."
WISN spoke to the triplet's mother who said she had no idea this was going on and still finds it hard to believe. She said she doesn't think Sommer would do that. She would not speak on camera.
The Parenting Network in Milwaukee runs a parent help line. It fields dozens of calls a week from parents often at their wits end.
"Anything that's going to add to the stress. We do talk to a lot of single families and talk to a lot of parents who are low income that have issues meeting their basic needs," said Kathie Karkheck with the Parenting Network.
And cases like this abuse of infant triplets makes them even more determined.
"Well it's sad of course, because they could have picked up the phone and we could have come talked rather than that happening," said Karkheck.
The mother, who was not charged, says the triplets are now out of the hospital.
All five of her children are in foster care.
WISN/CNN