Mooresville mother charged for child's injuries

MOORESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - 19-year-old mother Kaitlin Moore and dad Justin Weber are both charged with three counts of neglect.

And now mom is facing charges for aggravated battery.

 Authorities tacked on counts to the mom's charges believing she took an active role in battering her two-month old daughter Allison.

Authorities found the child suffering from multiple burns at their apartment. Closer examination found the child suffered from 8 broken and fractured bones.

A couple who baby sat for the child say they knew the mother seemed 'stressed' and offered to help. They add they had no idea of any abuse.

The child’s babysitter, Larrissa Retchless said, “I’m angry…if you’re overwhelmed, I’ll come sit with you.”

In the documents outlining the officer’s probable cause for their arrest, the officer describes the child’s injury saying “There was some scabbing and still some open sores on the infant.”

Moore told officers that the infant fell into hot water during a bath, but police say the doctor’s examination of the child concludes that the injuries are not consistent with Moore’s story.

Doctors told officers that if returned to its caretaker that it would be at serious risk for further, “possibly fatal,” injury.

When asked why she didn’t take the child to the hospital Moore told police that she as afraid the Department of Child Services would take custody of the child.

Police say DCS has investigated the Moore and her boyfriend on two previous occasions.

When officers arrived last week to conduct a search warrant on the couple’s residence they found a blanket in the child’s crib covered in what they believed to be blood. They also discovered kitchen utensils with patterns that resembled the burn marks on the baby’s body.

Police arrested Moore on charges of neglect of a dependent, aggravated battery and battery resulting in bodily injury.

If convicted of the most serious charges mom faces up to 20 years in prison. The baby is recovering form her injuries.