2 arrested after child’s leg is amputated due to frostbite from allegedly living in cold trailer
02/01/2023 12:08 pm PST
RUSSELL COUNTY, Va. (TCD) -- A 32-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man face charges after a child reportedly had to have part of his leg amputated due to apparent frostbite.
According to the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, on Jan. 19, Rebecca Bremner and Michael Park, both of Gravel Lick Road in Castlewood, Virginia, were arrested on charges of felony child abuse and neglect. Park was reportedly arrested in North Carolina and remains held in Forsyth County as he awaits extradition back to Virginia, records show.
The investigation began a week before their arrest, on Jan. 12, after the Russell County Department of Social Services contacted the Sheriff’s Office, WCYB-TV reports.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by WJHL-TV, a male child was transported to the hospital with "severe frostbite to his lower extremities." His feet were allegedly black and discolored from the severity of his frostbite, and doctors amputated his leg below the knee.
During an interview, Bremner told authorities the victim "had been living in a box trailer on the residence property for a couple of months, which had three heaters inside," WJHL reports.
Bremner reportedly said the trailer was windowless, and it couldn’t be exited from the back door, but she claimed there was another "regular door."
The trailer allegedly had a toilet for the child that was changed "about twice a week," and the victim bathed in an outdoor hot tub.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, on the property, deputies also found 40 dogs that seemed to be "healthy and well cared for."
The Sheriff’s Office reportedly fed the dogs and patched holes in their fence. On Jan. 20, the Sheriff’s Office requested that Bremner surrender the dogs, but she declined and "made arrangements with relatives to feed and look after the dogs."
Bremner remains held in the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 10, WJHL reports.
Records show Park also remains held without bond.
The Sheriff’s Office did not specify the suspects’ relationship to the victim.
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