An Independence County couple has been charged in circuit court with felony endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree.
The affidavit of probable cause for arrest says the couple’s four-month-old child was treated at the White River Medical Center on Sept. 15 for a lower extremity injury. It was determined the child was suffering from a fracture of the left femur. The hospital also noted bruising to the face of the child. The hospital report also listed the child as being at a severe sepsis risk from the injuries.
The mother and father of the child provided that two days prior, the child’s leg became stuck in their kitchen sink during bathing, and while freeing the foot, the injury to the child’s leg occurred, the affidavit noted.
The child was later transferred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock for further treatment. There, doctors noted the child suffered an acute displaced transverse fracture of the left femoral diaphysis, as well as four separate injuries of the face and ears.
Dr. Rachel Clingenpeel’s report said that there was no plausible explanation given for the child’s injuries and listed the injuries as being consistent with blunt force trauma, which is consistent with physical abuse, according to the affidavit.
Meanwhile, Sergeant Zach Rawlins with the Independence County Sheriff’s Department conducted a residential search at the couple’s home in the 7200 block of Harrison Street.
Rawlins’ report says the residence contained two sinks: one being a residential double bowl kitchen sink, and the second being a single bowl bathroom vanity with a fixed stopper. The kitchen sink was a common stainless steel sink with a fixed drain which would prevent a child’s foot from entering, according to Rawlins.
The probable cause for arrest affidavit said Grace and Gary Day’s action of waiting days before seeking medical attention engaged in conduct which created a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to the child.
The prosecuting attorney’s office studied the sheriff department’s information and is asking that both Grace Catherine-Ann Day, 19, and Gary F. Day, 34, be charged with endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree, a felony.
Warrants have now been issued for their arrest.
Judge Chaney Taylor has set bail on each at $50,000.
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