Abused 4yo thought her name was 'Idiot'

  • 18/08/2016
Clarence Reed and Jennifer Denen (Hot Springs Arkansas Police Department)
Clarence Reed and Jennifer Denen (Hot Springs Arkansas Police Department)

A four-year-old girl in the United States has been taken into state custody, after reportedly being zip-tied to a bed and being beaten by her mother's boyfriend.

When she was rescued she was covered in scars, bruises, and dried blood. When she was asked her name, she answered "idiot".

Police in Hot Springs, Arkansas, arrested mother-of-six Jennifer Denen, 30, and her boyfriend Clarence Reed, 47, on Friday (local time). They were charged with first-degree domestic battery, permitting abuse of a minor and first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.

The police report describes her injuries, which included deep purple bruising on her bottom, lower back and legs; a black eye; swollen right cheek; a bruise on her forehead; healing scars across her back; and dried blood in the corner of her mouth.

She also suffered from ligature marks on her wrist, from where she was kept tied down.

Denen told police she had seen Reed hit the child, and Reed confirmed this, saying he hit the girl with a wooden paddle and cable-tied her to the bed after he found her climbing into cupboards.

Reed also admitted to calling the girl "idiot" but said it was a joke.

The couple is being held on $500,000 bond, and could face up to 32 years' imprisonment.

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