CBS News have reported that a 15-day-old baby, weighing only five pounds was treated at Magnolia Regional Medical Center in Arkansas on Sunday, May 14th for enduring over 100 rat bites. Authorities stated the newborn had to undergo Facial Reconstruction after enduring over 100 rat bites.
The baby’s parents, Charles Elliot, 18, and Erica Shryock, 19, are currently being held in police custody. Both parents willingly admitted they were aware of the rat infestation in the home, but chose to do nothing to remedy the problem. Neither defendant has entered a plea and it has not been released if either parent has an attorney.
They are both currently being held without bond.
What happened to the baby?
While being questioned, Shryock told authorities that she woke up around 5:30 a.m. from the newborn’s crying. She went to feed the baby but instead found the baby covered head to toe in blood. Earlier that morning, Elliot also woke to the newborn’s crying. He said when he went to check on the baby he found the mattress covered in bloody rat footprints but decided to do nothing.
Both parents stated they deferred seeking medical attention in fear they would lose the child to child services. They only decided to take the newborn to the hospital after Elliot’s mother arrived, around 9 a.m., hours after the incident occurred.
Doctors assessment of the baby
A doctor at Arkansas Children’s Hospital stated the newborn sustained severe skin destruction. When the doctors assessed the critical condition of the newborn they were appalled. Their findings concluded the baby was fed on and in distress for hours.
The report stated that the baby had a one-inch wide bite that exposed part of her skull, which needed facial reconstruction.
The baby suffered severe bites on her head, face, arms, and fingers.
Authorities investigate
Doctors called the Magnolia Police Department at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Sunday to explain the situation. When police arrived, the suspects, Elliot and Shryock were immediately taken into custody. The parents were both charged with felonies of first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.
When Magnolia authorities searched the residence, they found a horrific scene. The baby’s bassinet was covered in bloody rat footprints, the baby’s hat and blanket were covered in blood and there were rat droppings all around the home and baby’s sleeping area. The living conditions were far from suitable.
