WARNING: Details of the child victim’s condition are very disturbing
Authorities arrested a couple who were living in a tent at Alloys Park for aggravated child abuse.
On Saturday, June 17th, Deputies and Investigators with the Colbert County Sheriff’s Office were requested to respond to North Alabama Medical Center for a possible case of child abuse. This according to Colbert County Sheriff Eric Balentine.
“When Investigators arrived at the hospital, they found a 9 year of male child severely malnourished weighing 37 pounds. The child also had bruises on his body, blood coming from his ear, and maggots protruding from diffrent areas of his body,”
said Balentine.
“This is just heartbreaking to see children living in this type of condition in Colbert County. I want to make sure that justice is served,” said Balentine.
Authorities determined that the family was staying at the primitive campsite of Colbert Alloys camping area in a tent.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the parents were still on scene at the hospital, with two younger children with the yougest being three months old.
Colbert County DHR was notified and assisted in the investgation and took custody of the children.
Due to the severity of the 9-year-old childs condition he was transported to Children Hospital in Birmingham for further extensive treatment and evaluation.
Investigators were able to secure a search warrant for the campsite. Investigators located the tents the family were staying in for approximatly the past two weeks.
Based on the findings of the investigation Deja-Ariaha Geraldine Bankhead, 27, (mother) and Demariez Lavonski Mitchell, 28, (step-father) were arrested and placed into the Colbert County Jail for the charge of Aggravated Child Abuse 26-15-3.1.
Investigators served warrants on the two on Sunday.
The two are being held in the Colbert County Jail on a $50,000 Bond. But must first see a judge before release.
