COLUMBUS, Ind. — Two Columbus residents are in custody for felony neglect of a dependent charges as the result of an ongoing child abuse investigation involving a 2-year-old boy.
On Wednesday, Columbus Police Department (CPD) officers were called to NexusPark, 2100 25th St., about the child having suspicious marks on him. Investigators noted numerous red marks and bruises to the boy’s arms, face, and torso. Upon further medical evaluation, the child also had broken ribs.
Investigators believe many of the bruises and red marks were caused by the child being struck with a cord. The child was taken into protective custody and placed with a family member.
As the investigation progressed and more evidence was gathered, the boy’s mother, Hanna McBride, 25, and her husband, Jose Manuel Villeda Gomez, 22, were arrested for the preliminary charge of neglect of a dependent as a Level 5 felony on Thursday, said Sgt. Skylar Berry, Columbus Police Department spokesman. The investigation is still ongoing and more charges are possible.
Both McBride and Villeda Gomez remain in the Bartholomew County Jail on a hold.
CPD would like to commend the reporting person for calling police when they suspected the child was being abused or neglected, Berry said. In many other states, certain people, such as doctors or teachers, have a duty to report child abuse or neglect. However, in Indiana all of us have an obligation to make a report when we have “reason to believe that a child
is a victim of child abuse or neglect” under Indiana Code 31-33-5-1. Reports can be made by calling the police or the Department of Child Services.
