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Parents charged with neglect after child suffers head trauma
BUFFALO, W.Va. -- Putnam County officials have charged a mother and stepfather after a child's injury sent him to the hospital.
The Putnam County Sheriff's Department has arrested Jessica Marie Kemper and Bantz Jay Kemper II after Jessica Kemper's 2-year-old son suffered a head trauma.
Putnam County Sheriff Mark Smith said Bantz Kemper was arrested and arraigned Monday. He is charged with child neglect creating risk and injury of death, and child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury.
Jessica Kemper also was arrested and arraigned Monday. She is charged with child neglect creating risk and injury of death.
Smith said the injury occurred between Feb. 15 and 29. The child received medical treatment on Feb. 29 after he was found unresponsive. The child was taken to Cabell Huntington Hospital and is recovering after at least one surgery, Smith said. Two other children in the home were taken into state custody, according to Smith.
"It's one of the most difficult crimes for an officer to have to investigate because it's a two-year-old defenseless victim," Smith said. "It's just a terrible, terrible crime."
