Mother, stepfather arrested, charged with child endangerment

 

WILLOW WOOD — A 6-year-old child has been removed from his home following allegations his mother and stepfather severely beat him with a belt.

Travis Neal, 24, and Jessica Neal, 26, of 1126 County Road 62, Willow Wood, were arrested Thursday after the boy reported back pain to his elementary school nurse.

“They are alleged to have beaten the child with a belt,” Prosecuting Attorney Brigham Anderson said. “The child had extensive bruising and welts. We are taking this very seriously.”

Anderson said it was the school nurse who alerted children’s services to the boy’s injuries.

“The school nurse then saw the marks and notified children’s services and that began the investigation by children’s services and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office,” Anderson said.

Travis and Jessica Neal were each charged with a count of child endangerment, felonies of the third-degree.

They were arraigned in Lawrence County Municipal Court Friday. Bond was set at $15,000 cash or surety for each.

Attorneys Mike Davenport and Butch Morford were appointed to represent Travis and Jessica Neal, respectively.

“In the event they make bond, we requested a restraining order from the child,” Anderson said. “Even if they are able to bond out of jail, they are not allowed to go around the child while the case is pending.”

The child endangerment charges carry a three-year prison sentence.

“We may be seeking a felonious assault charge at the grand jury depending upon the child’s injures,” Anderson said. “Which could carry up to eight years.”

The Neals are expected be return to court Friday for a preliminary hearing.