By Joe Fisher – NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A mother and her friend face charges after police say they abused a baby girl.
Doctors contacted officers last month after treating the 11-month-old with broken bones and bruises, according to a search warrant filed in Norfolk Circuit Court.
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Police arrested Zatoryah Parker, 18, and John Rouse, 30, on Aug. 7 and charged them both with one count of child abuse and neglect after Parker's daughter suffered a shattered collarbone, broken bones in her arm, a liver laceration and bruises on her face and forehead.
Court documents say the abuse happened Aug. 4 inside Rouse's apartment at the West Beach Apartments on West Ocean View Avenue.
Investigators say Rouse "violently yanked the child on the bed" after the baby girl started throwing up. Parker told investigators Rouse was upset because he just washed his sheets, according to documents.
A few hours later, police say Parker sent Rouse a text message, that read, ‘I gota take [the child] to the emergency room like foreal.'
Despite the text message, investigators say Parker waited 16 hours to get her daughter medical attention.
Parker told officers her baby had been sick for one week but she attributed her sickness to teething, according to court documents.
10 On Your Side stopped by Parker's home Tuesday, but an an unidentified woman who answered the door said she asked Parker to move out after her arrest.
Investigators say Parker was never able to give an explanation for her daughter's facial bruising.
Parker was denied bond Aug. 10 but was granted a $10,000 bond Aug. 25 at an appeal hearing, according to a spokeswoman with the Office of the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney.
Parker is not allowed to make contact with her daughter and is not able to have unsupervised contact with any children, as part of the conditions of her bond.
Rouse remains behind bars at the Norfolk City Jail. He declined to speak with 10 On Your Side on Tuesday.
Parker and Rouse will be back in court Oct. 31.