The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Marrero couple, Carlton Webb and his girlfriend, Monica Wilson, on Wednesday for second-degree cruelty to a juvenile after they allegedly made up a story about a scooter accident to explain the injuries of Webb’s 3-year-old daughter.
Investigators said Webb, 23, and Wilson, 34, brought the child to a hospital Sunday. They said she was injured in a hit-and-run crash with an electric scooter. According to a news release, detectives found out the story was false.
The sheriff’s office told WDSU the toddler had bleeding inside her skull and multiple other injuries in different stages of healing.
Erika Dupépé is the executive director of the Jefferson Children’s Advocacy Center. She could not confirm or deny whether the center is involved in the investigation.
“I can say that physical abuse allegations that are brought to us are not nearly as prevalent as the sexual abuse allegations, and not to say that the physical abuse isn’t happening; it’s just that it may not be reported,” Dupépé said.
During a phone call with WDSU Friday, she said people can be hesitant to report physical abuse of children.
“When children are physically abused, the people that are doing this abuse often don’t have the initial intention to set out to cause harm,” Dupépé said. “It usually occurs because there’s a loss of control, a lack of skill set. It really does take a community to help raise children, and if people do not have the support, it can make things much more challenging.”
On Friday, the sheriff’s office confirmed the 3-year-old girl is still hospitalized and stable.
“Unfortunately, parents sometimes have unrealistic expectations as far as what may or may not be appropriate or normal behavior for a young child,” Dupépé said. “And they have flawed discipline beliefs. They believe that, you know, they are teaching the child not to do an act that they see as problematic.”
The investigation is ongoing with assistance from the Department of Children and Family Services.
READ MORE:Marrero couple arrested for alleged abuse of 3-year-old girl
