BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PIKE COUNTY — A Pike County couple is behind bars on charges of first-degree criminal child abuse, kidnapping with serious physical injury, and first-degree assault. Their arrest follows an investigation that uncovered severe abuse, including evidence described by authorities as “signs of torture.”
Police arrested Raccoon resident Mary Hall, 42, on Jan. 29, and her live-in boyfriend Jerome Norman, 43, a day later. Norman also faces charges of fleeing police on foot, possession of controlled substance and prescription controlled substance not in proper container.
The investigation began after reports that a child under age 12 in the couple’s care had repeatedly appeared with bruises, according to a complaint filed by Kentucky State Police Trooper M. Cornett. When the child returned to school after a holiday break, school staff noticed he had a chipped tooth and a busted nose.
Authorities said the child later went into cardiac arrest and was transported to the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center for treatment.
In the complaint, Cornett stated that when asked about his injuries, the child claimed he had been “packing wood and riding his bike” but would not provide further explanation. Investigators found evidence suggesting the child had been deprived of food as a form of punishment.
“He is real pale and real skinny,” Cornett wrote. “He looks malnourished with a clammy skin tone … gorges himself when he eats at school. Today, he gorged himself until he got sick and vomited.”
When questioned, Hall denied knowledge of how the injuries occurred, saying, “He had been packing wood and playing. He could have done it in his sleep.”
A search of Hall’s residence revealed a locked room described in the complaint as “the dark room,” where troopers allege the child was confined. The room contained only a single mattress and a lamp in the corner.
Medical professionals treating the child reported that he was unable to tolerate solid food and displayed physical evidence of prolonged mistreatment.
“The treating doctor stated the child shows signs of torture,” Cornett wrote.
State police apprehended Norman at the intersection of U.S. 23 and U.S. 119 at Buckley’s Creek after police issued a public alert.
Both Hall and Norman remain in custody at the Pike County Detention Center, each held on a $500,000 bond. Hall was arraigned on Jan. 29 followed by Norman on Jan. 30. Both are scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on Feb. 6 at 1 p.m.