On Thursday night, The Knox County Sheriff’s Department was notified by the Lawrenceville, Illinois PD that a 17-month-old child had been seen in their local E-R.

They said the child had obvious signs of abuse and neglect and had been taken to the hospital by the biological father who had just picked up the toddler from the mother.

Knox County Deputies went to the mother’s home on Ballard Drive in Vincennes and and spoke with her and her partner who denied involvement in the injuries.

After further investigation both were arrested.

24-year-old Samantha Rutledge and 23-year-old Juan Garcia are charged with Neglect of a Dependent and Child Abuse and  Domestic battery on a Child under 14 years old.

The crimes are Level 5 Felonies.

The child was placed with the biological father by Child Protective Services while the case remains under investigation.