According to reports a North Carolina couple has been arrested after allegedly tying their 4-year-old daughter to a baby gate and hitting her so hard that her lower teeth broke through her lower lip, says police.
Police also report Gerald Thomas Swinehart, 26, and Marlaine Victoria Coffey, 28, are accused of using plastic ties used by electrians to bundle wires to tie the girl to the gate.
Arrest warrants say the abuse occurred earlier this year. The child was taken into the custody of social services on March 31.
Wake County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Cruden said Swinehart's girlfriend took the child to a hospital for treatment before heading off to Florida. They checked the little girl in using a fake name.
Although the couple fled to Florida, they were eventually apprehended by police. Cruden explained that 28-year-old Marlaine Coffey was also charged with intentional child abuse inflicting serious physical injury.
Swinehart is charged with two counts of intentional child abuse inflicting serious physical injury and is being held under $100,000 bond. Coffey faces one count and is being held under $50,000 bond. It's not known if they have attorneys says reports.
A judge explained that he intends to keep track of Swinehart should he make bond. It's believed that the father will be required to wear an ankle bracelet while he's under house arrest.
While it's unclear just how long the couple will spend behind bars if they are found guilty of the child abuse charges against them.
The condition of the young girl is unknown at this time.
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