An Indiana couple was arrested Friday after the woman’s 14-month-old son was reportedly discovered with bruises and a split tongue, which was possibly cut down the middle with scissors.
According to WTHI, Scott A. Edwards, 33, and Holly Cota, 28, were criminally charged after the toddler was hospitalized last Wednesday with a split tongue, multiple bruises, and a swollen scrotum. Doctors reportedly determined that his injuries weren’t accidental and contacted police.
Citing documents, the Tribune-Star reported that the victim’s tongue was split down the middle and the tip was missing. Hospital staff suspected scissors were used to slice his tongue as the cut was clean and didn’t show any evidence of tearing, according to reports.
Edwards was charged with aggravated battery and battery and neglect of a dependent while Cota is facing obstruction of justice charges. Police accused Cota of lying about the injuries to her son; they said Cota initially claimed she was the only one home when her son was injured before confessing that Edwards was with the child while she worked.
CHILD ABUSE: When the officer asked the child’s mother, Holly Cota, about her son’s injuries, the affidavit says she claimed the boy had fallen out of his crib multiple times and she believed he bit his tongue, which caused it to split. https://t.co/Xkbsy7o2ig
— WHNT (@whnt) January 24, 2019
“I am appalled. I am disgusted. My heart hurts. When that’s all you can think about is that poor baby going through that with nobody for him to be his voice and say stop…you’re hurting me. It just breaks my heart,” longtime family friend, Chelsie Loose, told WHTI.
Cota reportedly claimed the toddler fell out of his crib multiple times, causing him to bite and split his tongue. She reportedly indicated that her son “must have straddled the toy box when he fell, causing damage to his scrotum,” an affidavit obtained by WXIN stated.
Cota also claimed she was afraid to get her son medical treatment due to the nature of his injuries, according to the Tribune-Star.
The toddler’s mother was released from custody while Edwards remains jailed on $75,000 bond.
[Featured Image: Scott Edwards, Holly Cota/Vigo County jail; Screenshot, HTI]
