CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — A Franklin County couple has been charged with physically abusing a toddler, then failing to seek proper medical attention to treat his injuries, State Police claim in charging documents.
Christopher Bevans, 24, of Chambersburg, is accused of assaulting the two-year-old victim. Julia Hannold, 23, also of Chambersburg, is charged with neglecting to take the boy for medical treatment, according to police.
Authorities began investigating when the child's injuries were discovered during a visit to Keystone Pediatrics, police said. A nurse there noted the boy had a swollen right leg, which was later determined to be broken, according to police. The victim was then flown to Hershey Medical Center, where he later had a cast placed on his injury.
When asked how the boy was injured, Hannold allegedly could not provide an answer, police claim. She initially did not tell medical staff the boy was injured, according to police.
Six months before the child's broken leg was discovered, police claim, the boy was found to have three fractures to his arm that were later determined to have occurred on two separate occasions. Hannold also had no explanation for how those injuries occurred, police said.
Doctors later determined the child's injuries were not accidental, and likely the result of physical abuse, police claim. One doctor who examined the boy noted there was "concern for medical neglect" on Hannold's part, police said.
When questioned by police, Hannold allegedly admitted the boy was being watched by Bevan when the injuries occurred. She said she noted the boy's leg injury on June 20, a day after he sustained it, police said.
Investigators determined Bevan was the only person caring for the child when he was injured. He was also allegedly heard making jokes about breaking the child's arm again or breaking his other leg, police claim.
Hannold is charged with three felony counts of endangering the welfare of a child, while Bevan is charged with felony counts of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
Hannold is free on $25,000 bail, while Bevan was remanded to Franklin County Prison after failing to post bail of $500,000.
