A Georgia couple was sentenced to a year and a half in prison after being convicted of repeatedly abusing their 8-week-old son.
Earlier this month, a Pike County jury found Tarilyn Ellie Lester Alexander and Joseph Taylor Alexander guilty of eight counts of aggravated battery and four counts of first-degree child abuse, according to Fox 5 Atlanta crime.
Seven weeks after the child was discharged from hospital, he began to develop bruising on his face and genitals and a blood vessel in his eye ruptured, according to evidence presented in court. When he was 8 weeks old, the boy had 11 fractures and bleeding from both eyes.
Officials said the boy was “repeatedly subjected to horrific abuse.”
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Tarilyn Ellie Lester Alexander and Joseph Taylor Alexander were found guilty of eight counts of aggravated battery and four counts of first-degree child abuse. (Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office)
When asked about the child’s injuries, the Alexanders were unable to explain what had happened to their child.
Doctors investigating the case diagnosed the baby with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a disorder caused by collagen defects that can lead to severe joint problems. Several doctors who treat patients with Ehlers-Danlos hypermobility confirm that the syndrome does not cause the same damage that infants suffer.
“The victim has not had a single broken bone since he was removed from the defendant’s care,” the Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney said in a statement.
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A Georgia couple was sentenced to a year and a half in prison after being convicted of repeatedly abusing their 8-week-old son. (iStock)
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The jury found the Alexanders guilty on 12 of 16 counts. The judge sentenced them to one and a half years in prison and fifteen years of probation.
After being released from prison, the two will be allowed to have contact with their sons.
