CHILD ABUSE CASE Mother And Boyfriend Charged With Abusing Three-Year-Old Boy
Reported by: Kristin Keeling
Web Producer: Kristin Keeling
Reported: Apr. 12, 2012 6:23 PM EDT
Updated: Apr. 13, 2012 5:45 PM EDT
Eyewitness News Photo
Winfield
, Putnam County
, West Virginia
A Putnam County couple is accused of badly bruising a toddler. Investigators arrested Emily Arthur and her boyfriend, Joseph Allen Thacker, Thursday afternoon.
Detectives say the 3-year-old boy's biological father brought him to the hospital with severe bruises on his back, ribs, shoulder, and bottom. According to the criminal complaint, the boy also had scratches and bruises on his face.
Detectives say duringt a forensic interview, the boy said "'Joe Joe' covers my mouth and throws me."
A doctor's report indicated that the toddler's injuries were not accidental and that the injuries suggest suffocation.
Police say they're hopeful the arrests bring some type of justice. "Obviously, anytime a child is involved those are in my opinion the worst crimes we have. It's difficult. It's difficult for all of the people involved," said Sgt. Ryan Lockhart from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.
Both Thacker and Arthur are charged with child abuse resulting in injury.
Arthur posted bond and Thacker remains behind bars.
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Kristin Keeling
