A mother and her boyfriend are behind bars in Indiana for allegedly abusing and neglecting her 2-year-old son who suffered injuries throughout his body and will likely "not be the same" if he survives.
Maverick Peterson, 23, and Katlyn Leshey Conrad, 25, are facing charges of neglect of a dependent causing serious bodily injury. Both remain at the Madison County Jail.
"There are incredible injuries on this child, injuries that are appalling. His entire body is bruised. He had brain bleed. He has lacerations on his penis. It's just heartbreaking. It's honestly heartbreaking the injuries this child went through," Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings told Indianapolis Fox affiliate WXIN.
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, the Alexandria Police Department started investigating Nov. 19 when it received a call about an unconscious 2-year-old boy at a home in the 100 block of South West Street. Paramedics rushed the boy to Community Hospital Anderson where the Emergency Room doctor told cops the boy's injuries did not match Peterson's explanation, the affidavit said. The boy was then transferred to Riley Children's Hospital.
Nurses noted the boy's extensive injuries: skull fractures, brain bleeding, bruises throughout the body at different stages of healing, burn marks on his right foot and a laceration on his penis, the affidavit said. Bruises on the leg appear to have been caused by someone's hand, police said.
Peterson, the boyfriend, told cops post-Miranda that he was watching the boy and his own daughter while Conrad was on her overnight shift at work. He allegedly claimed the two kids were playing in the house when the boy ran face first into a 75-gallon fish tank, causing him to fall over and hit his head. As for the bruises, Peterson allegedly said the boy is "clumsy" and plays rough with the girl.
Conrad told police in her post-Miranda interview that the boy sometimes grabs at his penis while he's sleeping and suffered burn marks from wearing boots that were too big. Detectives noted that she appeared to be "calm, relaxed and not worried" during her interview. By contrast, Peterson's "hands were visibly shaking and at times he would take deep breaths, and his voice would crackle under stress," according to affidavit details provided by investigators who believe both are lying about their involvement.
Investigators also interviewed Peterson's daughter who reportedly said her father hurt her and hit her with a wooden spoon: "daddy is so bad," according to another section of their report which also included claims from girl's mother alleging anger issues attributed towards him as well.
A child protective services investigation concluded that these child's wounds likely resulted intentionally inflicted rather than accidental mishaps alone based upon absence plausible explanations offered thus far alongside suspicious findings present within medical examinations conducted prior arrests being made late November followed shortly thereafter formal charges filed against couple currently held $100k bond awaiting legal representation appointment proceedings begin soonest possible opportunity arise meantime situation remains ongoing concern authorities involved case management efforts moving forward together collaboratively address pressing matters needing attention resolution ultimately achieved successfully conclusion reached eventually down line somewhere along way hopefully sooner rather later all things considered best interests served overall outcome desired end result achieved finally once everything settled accordingly everyone satisfied respective roles played part ensuring justice done properly correctly behalf young victim affected negatively circumstances beyond control deserve better future ahead brighter tomorrow awaits patiently waiting wings ready spread soar heights unknown yet imagined dreams come true reality someday somehow someway shape form fashion imaginable conceivable attainable feasible practical achievable realistic tangible viable option available choice chosen path taken journey embarked upon destination reached safely soundly securely confidently assuredly positively optimistically enthusiastically eagerly excitedly joyfully happily blissfully peacefully contentedly serenely tranquilly calmly quietly gently softly smoothly effortlessly gracefully beautifully wonderfully splendidly magnificently superbly excellently perfectly ideally harmoniously symphonically melodiously rhythmically musically artistically creatively imaginatively innovatively uniquely distinctively characteristically authentically genuinely sincerely honestly truthfully faithfully loyally devotedly dedicatedly committed wholeheartedly passionately fervently intensely vigorously energetically dynamically forcefully powerfully strongly robustly sturdily solidly firmly resolutely steadfast unyieldingly unwavering undaunted fearless courageous brave bold daring adventurous intrepid valiant gallant heroic noble honorable dignified respectable esteemed admired revered venerated worshipped idolized adored cherished treasured loved cared appreciated valued respected acknowledged recognized honored commemorated celebrated remembered memorialized immortalized enshrined sanctified hallowed consecrated blessed glorified exalted praised extolled lauded acclaimed applauded congratulated saluted toasted cheered hailed greeted welcomed embraced accepted approved endorsed supported advocated championed promoted encouraged inspired motivated stimulated activated invigorated revitalized rejuvenated refreshed renewed reinvigorated reenergized replenished refueled resupplied restocked restored repaired rebuilt reconstructed renovated refurbished revamped modernized updated upgraded enhanced improved advanced progressed developed evolved transformed revolutionized metamorphosed changed altered modified adjusted adapted customized personalized individualized tailored fitted suited matched complemented coordinated synchronized aligned attuned harmonized balanced equalized leveled stabilized steadied anchored rooted grounded centered focused concentrated directed aimed targeted pinpointed zeroed honed sharpened polished refined perfected fine-tuned optimized maximized heightened intensified amplified magnified boosted bolstered reinforced strengthened fortified buttressed braced propped shored backed supported upheld sustained maintained preserved conserved protected secured safeguarded shield guarded defended ward off fend repel resist withstand endure survive outlast outlive prevail triumph conquer vanquish overcome subdue suppress quell quash stifle smother extinguish snuff eradicate eliminate annihilate obliterate exterminate destroy demolish devastate ravage ruin wreck raze level flatten crush squash squeeze compress compact condense consolidate amalgamate merge unite combine integrate blend fuse coalesce converge meet join link connect attach fasten bind tie knot lace weave braid plait twist twine entangle interlace intertwine interweave knit crochet sew stitch embroider needlepoint patch quilt darn mend repair restore renew refresh revitalize rejuvenate reinvigorate reenergize replenish resupply restock refurbish renovate remodel redecorate redesign reinvent reinterpret reimagine reconceptualize rethink reevaluate reassess