COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Portsmouth couple is facing charges after their 5-week-old twins were hospitalized with broken bones and other injuries.
Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman said a detective with the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Special Victim Unit received a call Monday from the Portsmouth Police Department regarding a possible child abuse case.
Police had been contacted by a social worker from Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The twins were in the hospital’s trauma unit after being transferred from Southern Ohio Medical Center.
Detectives were advised one of the twins were initially taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center for a possible broken arm.
Staff observed what appeared to be hemorrhages in both of the children’s eyes. These injuries resulted in both being transferred to Columbus.
Thoroughman said detectives learned of multiple non-accidental injuries to both babies including the eye hemorrhages, multiple broken bones in their legs and arms, multiple rib fractures and abrasions to the face.
As a result of these injuries, Scioto County Children Services were notified and responded to the hospital and removed custody from the parents.
The sheriff said detectives spoke with family member and witnesses before the parents, 20-year-old Codi Allen and 27-year-old SueAnn Carter, were brought in for questioning.
Allen and Cater were each charged with two counts of felonious assault and eight counts of endangering children.
Both are being held on a $340,000 bond and appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Thursday.
An investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 740-351-1091.
