Couple arrested for child abuse of 7-week-old daughter

A Manchester mother and father were arrested Thursday on aggravated child abuse charges and are being held in the Coffee County Jail under $500,000 bond, according to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department.

Their seven-week-old child was listed in critical condition at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville Friday.

According to Sheriff Steve Graves, Patricia Wilhoite, 26, and Michael Colvin, 26, both of Ragsdale Road, Manchester, were charged after the child was taken to United Regional Medical Center for what was described as a spider bite. But when doctors examined the little girl they found that both legs and arms were broken. She also had a head injury, which was later confirmed by Vanderbilt Medical Center as a head fracture.

According the sheriff, Capt. Frank Watkins of the sheriff’s department received a call from Manchester Police Investigator Butch Stewart that he needed to get to the hospital immediately.

“When Frank got there he was told of the child’s injuries,” the sheriff stated. “The little baby had red places on her little arms.” Graves explained.

Doctors at United Regional wanted the child flown to Vanderbilt but due to the weather conditions she had to be transported by ambulance to the Nashville facility.

After the baby arrived at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, doctors called Coffee County investigators and informed them that she had suffered head injuries.

Watkins stated Friday that the child’s injuries were the worst he had seen in his 17 years of being a deputy sheriff.

“She is listed in critical but stable condition,” Graves stated Friday morning. “All of the breaks have been splinted and look like there will not be a need for surgery.”

Watkins and Investigator Larry Floyd are continuing to investigate the abuse of the child.

The man and woman remain in jail under a $500,000 bond each.

Both are scheduled to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court Monday morning.

Source: http://www.tullahomanews.com/news/view_article.asp?idcategory=9&idarticle=8723