Mississippi infant born in 'deplorable' conditions hospitalized; 2 arrested
11/09/2020 4:29 pm PST
GUNTOWN, Miss. (TCD) --
Two Mississippi residents were arrested for felony child abuse after an infant born in a trailer last week was hospitalized.
Lee County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a possible newborn baby needing medical attention at a residence at 331 County Road 417 Wednesday, where they went to check on the child's welfare.
Residents David Fisher Jr. and Nina Gebhart claimed Gebhart was still pregnant, and that there was no baby present. Deputies followed up several times at the residence, but Fisher and Gebhart repeatedly denied a child had been born, the sheriff's office said.
Around 10 p.m. Thursday, deputies again received a report of a newborn child at the residence, and found an infant in need of immediate medical attention inside. Medical personnel responded and the infant was hospitalized.
According to the sheriff's department, the child had been born on Monday, Nov. 2, inside the residence without medical help or attention before or after the birth.
Investigators said due to the "desperate" medical condition of the infant, and the "deplorable" living situation, David Fisher Jr. and Nina Gebhart were each charged with felony child abuse and deprivation of necessities with harm, and were held on $1 million bond each.
Deputies said Fisher has an extensive criminal history and had been out on a felony bond at the time of this arrest. Gebhart also has a prior criminal history involving narcotics, the sheriff's office said. They were both held in the Lee County Jail.
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