Kentucky child showed ‘signs of torture’ after cardiac arrest. Man, woman charged
A man and woman from Pike County were charged this week with abusing a child who showed “signs of torture,” according to court documents.
Mary Hall, 42, was arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree criminal abuse — child 12 or under, first-degree assault and kidnapping with a serious physical injury, according to jail records. Jerome Norman, 43, was arrested Thursday on the same charges along with second-degree fleeing/evading and other drug-related counts.
Kentucky State Police trooper Michael Coleman said Hall and Norman’s arrests were related to the same investigation.
The investigation began after the child showed up to school with a busted nose and chipped front tooth, according to Hall’s arrest warrant. The boy didn’t say how he got injured but said he was packing wood and riding his bike.
Hall also denied knowing what caused the injuries, saying it could have happened while he was sleeping, according to the arrest warrant.
The child appeared malnourished and gorged himself with food at school, according to the arrest warrant. One day the boy had a slice of pizza and cake at school, and Hall said the child would not receive dinner as a result, charging documents say.
Another day the child ate so much he got sick and vomited, according to the arrest warrant.
“He is real pale, real skinny. He does not look good. He looks malnourished and clammy skin-toned,” the arrest warrant reads.
Other children at the home where the child lives do not look malnourished, court documents say. The arrest warrant says the boy is treated worse than the other children.
When law enforcement served the arrest warrant on Hall, they reported the boy’s room was dark, and they saw a lock on the outside of the door, according to the arrest warrant. The child was removed from Hall and Norman’s care.
Norman fled from officers when they arrived at the home, according to court documents.
It was not clear if Hall and Norman are related to the boy.
The child later suffered cardiac arrest and was admitted to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital. The arrest warrant says the child is unable to keep down solid food.
Hall is being held on a $500,000 bond at the Pike County Detention Center, according to court records. Norman is also being held at the Pike County Detention Center.
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Suspects are charged by law enforcement based on initial allegations and evidence that have not yet been proven in court or through jury trial.
This story was originally published January 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM.
