Rankin County couple charged with child abuse - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Rankin County couple charged with child abuse

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RANKIN COUNTY, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

A man and woman from Rankin County are facing 14 counts of felony child abuse.  Stephen Magee and Rebecca Harrell will have their preliminary hearing Tuesday. 

The Rankin County Sheriff's Department was called to their home on a 911 call of a child not breathing.  District Attorney Michael Guest says it was Harrell who made the call.

The child was hospitalized and placed on life support, where it was discovered he had bleeding on the brain, and numerous fractures on his ribs and upper torso. Magee is the biological father of the child. 

"This was not a one time incident this child had been abused there immediately before them calling an ambulance, this child had been abused for a period of time," says Guest.

Rankin County District Attorney Michael Guest says there were other children in the home unhurt.  They will likely be placed with relatives. 

Guest says, "At this point the youth court will make a decision to where to place that child or if that child will be placed in DHS custody or there are other relatives that come forward."

Magee and Harrell remain in jail with no bond.  They will have a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Copyright 2011 WLBT. All rights reserved.

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