‘Pure Torture’: Parents Accused Of Abusing 4-Month-Old Daughter Who Suffered Broken Bones, Seizures, Brain Bleed

An Ohio couple has been arrested after their 4-month-old daughter was hospitalized with multiple injuries, including broken ribs and a brain bleed, officials said.

On Feb. 8, police in Sandusky launched an investigation after a baby with suspicious injuries that could be consistent with child abuse arrived at a hospital, the Sandusky Register reported.

In a statement from Sandusky Police Chief Jared Oliver, the baby suffered four broken ribs, a broken arm and leg, two brain bleeds, and she now has trouble with her vision. "She is suffering from seizures,” he noted, adding, "This is one of the worst cases of abuse I have ever seen,” according to WJW.

The baby’s parents, Devin Mims, 24, and Sondra Vanwhy, 19, were arrested on March 10.

During the investigation, Mims said he didn’t know how the child got the rib fractures, but he admitted to being “rough” when tickling her, the Sandusky Register reported. Both parents said they were unaware of the child having any falls.

Vanwhy claimed to investigators the child started choking while being fed and then stopped breathing for about 10 seconds before going limp, according to the Sandusky Register. When the baby regained consciousness, she started crying and would not stop, so the couple brought her to the emergency room, according to the outlet.

Mims also admitted to accidentally dropping the infant while she was in a baby rocker, authorities said.

Mims and Vanwhy told detectives one of them is always with the child and she doesn’t go to a babysitter, police said.

Court records show the hospital’s admitting doctor said the injuries constituted “non-accidental trauma.”

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The newborn also suffered from a feeding disorder and oral aversion due to the alleged abuse, police said.

Sandusky Police Detective Carissa Cruz said the extensive injuries would have been “pure torture for that little baby for months,” the Sandusky Register reported.

Mims was charged with felonious assault and child endangerment. Vanwhy was charged with child endangerment. Their bonds were set at $80,000 and $20,000, respectively.

The girl is in the custody of Eric County Children Services and police are hopeful she can make a full recovery.