PIKE COUNTY, Ohio -- Two more people were arrested Monday after rodent bites were found on a female infant.
NBC 4's Marcus Thorpe reported with the FAST FACTS.
Doctors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital determined the 6-week-old infant was bitten several times by a rodent or rodents, authorities said.
The infant suffered serious injuries to her left foot and back as well as numerous bite marks to other parts of her body.
Pike County Sheriff Richard Henderson said her injuries appeared to have happened over a long period of time.
Todd C. Trent, 18, was arrested Monday and charged with one count of child endangerment, one count of obstructing official business and one count of tampering with evidence.
Joseph Gunter and Tina Gunter also were arrested Monday on child endangerment charges, Pike County Prosecutor Rob Junk said.
Trent is the infant’s mother’s live-in boyfriend, Junk said.
Apparently, the Gunters are family “friends who were in the house during this time period,” Junk said.
The infant’s mother and grandfather said they recently noticed blood and injuries on the infant’s foot, Junk said.
One of the accused suspects' family members said their thoughts focused on the child.
"I do want the family to know the baby -- we have heartfelt for that baby. No baby should have to deal with that. You can't live in that filfth," said Malissa Reisinger, Trent's sister.
Trent's sisters said their brother has his version of the story, claiming he was asleep.
"(The) baby on front side, rolled into a pile of clothes, landed face first (and) rats started gnawing on the baby," Reisinger said.
They also want to know why a fourth person allegedly in the home hasn't been charged -- the baby's mother.
"Any mother, I don't care how hard you sleep, will hear a baby cry…I don't think it's fair they rack my brother for this," said Melinda Schoolcraft, Trent's sister.
Thorpe asked the same question to the prosecutor.
"We are not done with the investigation. Anymore about the mother, I can't release. She is a juvenile. We are not done," Junk said.
The prosecutor’s and sheriff’s offices both were deeply disturbed by the incident, Junk said.
Junk also said he believed an anonymous tip call led to an investigation into the infant’s injuries.
Charges against the infant’s mother and other people could be pending, Junk said.
Todd, Joseph and Tina all appeared in Pike County court Tuesday for their first court appearance.
Each was given a $210,000 bond and appointed a public defender.
A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, July 29.
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