A North Carolina couple was arrested over the weekend after family members requested a welfare check on their 10-month-old baby after finding “bruises and other unexplained markings” on the infant’s body.
The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said it began its investigation on July 23 and found “several bruises and injuries” on the child. The baby was taken to Iredell Memorial Hospital, where staff siad “the injuries were consistent with physical abuse.” The child was transferred to Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem for further treatment.
Investigators said they conducted multiple interviews with witnesses and family members and collected evidence from the hospitals.
The sheriff’s office said that the medical experts “determined the injuries to the child were caused by intentional physical abuse and some of the injuries were consistent with cigarette lighter burns and bite marks.”
As a result, Martavious Levar Smith, 29, and Shalisa Monai Lowe, 31, were arrested on Saturday and charged with intentionally causing serious bodily injury to a child. Smith was given a $100,000 bond, and Lowe was given an $80,000 bond.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing and that the Iredell County Department of Social Services was assisting.
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[Featured image: Shalisa Monai Lowe and Martavious Levar Smith/Iredell County Sheriff’s Office]