KNOX COUNTY CHILD ABUSE CASE

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The Knox County Indiana Sheriffs Department reports a Vincennes couple is in custody after being charged with alledged child abuse. Around 10 p.m. ET Wednesday, the department was called to a Ballard Street residence in Vincennes regarding a child abuse complaint. They had been notified by the Lawrenceville (Ill) Police Department that a 17 month old female child had been seen at the Lawrence County Hospital emergency room and exhibited signs of abuse and neglect. The child had been brought to the hospital by her biological father after being picked up from her biological mother-Samantha Rutledge at 1974 Ballard Street. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with both Rutledge and her partner Juan Garcia about the child’s injuries. Both denied any involvement. However, after further investigation, the two were arrested at the scene and taken to the Knox County Jail and were preliminarily charged with Neglect of a Dependent/Child Abuse-a Level 5 Indiana Felony and Domestic Battery on a Child (less than 14 years old)-also a Level 5 Indiana Felony. The child was placed with the biological father by Indiana Child Protective Services and the case remains under investigation.