A 4-year-old Arkansas girl who was taken into protective custody by authorities after being zip-tied to the bed as punishment told police she thought her name was “idiot.”
The girl’s mother, 30-year-old Jennifer Diane Denen and the mother’s 47-year-old boyfriend Clarence Eugene Reed (pictured above) were arrested last Friday for endangering the welfare of a minor, suspicion of domestic battery and permitting the abuse of a minor. According to the Sentinel-Record, Reed said he did refer to the child as “idiot” but it was a joke.
Law enforcement responded to Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center after the girl was examined and it was determined she was abused. The 4-year-old had dried blood in the corner of her mouth, a swollen right cheek, a bruise on her forehead, deep purple bruising on her bottom and lower legs and healing scars across her back. It was also noted the girl looked malnourished and her wrists indicated she had been restrained somehow.
The pair are being held on $500,000 bond are set to appear in court August 23.