A bond hearing is set today for a Lugoff couple accused of child abuse.
24-year-old Catharine Ammons and 27-year-old James Watson of Lugoff were arrested by Kershaw County deputies after hospital officials at Kershaw Health notified law enforcement of possible child abuse.
Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews said that hospital officials believed Ammons’ 4-year-old daughter suffered two broken arms and a broken leg four or five months ago. Those officials contacted law enforcement after determining that the child’s injuries were not consistent with the explanation how she received them. Doctors told deputies they knew the injuries were old because they had begun to heal without necessary medical attention.
Matthews said Ammons and Watson eventually admitted abusing the child after questioning from investigators. They both also admitted they rehearsed with the victim what to say to cover up the beatings.
They are charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and allowing a person to afflict harm to a child. The child is now in state Department of Social Services custody
