NORTH VERNON, Ind. — In response to an incident involving a child, the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) took action on New Year’s Day after being contacted by Schneck Medical Center in Seymour.
Law enforcement was alerted to the case of a one-year-old child exhibiting injuries consistent with possible physical abuse, reportedly sustained at a residence in Marion Township, Jennings County.
The child, who had suffered numerous bruises to the face, a burn to the arm, and a spiral fracture to the tibia of the left leg, was transported to Riley’s Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis for specialized treatment.
A suspect, Kiah D. Wingate, 26, was interviewed by detectives on Wednesday and he allegedly voluntarily confessed to causing the injuries. He is not related to the child.
When the investigation concluded, JCSO and the Indiana Department of Child Services arrested Wingate and charged him with Battery on a Minor causing serious bodily injury (Level 3 Felony) and Neglect of a Dependent causing serious bodily injury (Level 5 Felony). He is being held at the Jennings County Jail.