On January 5, 2012, Elmer Lane, age 19, and Bessie Wyatt, age 24, both of Summit, were arrested on Child Abuse related charges.  Lane was arrested for two counts “Domestic Battery in the 2^nd Degree” (Class C Felonies) and Wyatt was arrested for two counts of “Permitting Child Abuse” (Class D Felonies). 

The arrests stem from when a 4 year old was treated for a broken arm and medical staff noticed a large amount of severe bruising to other areas of the body and notified the Child Abuse Hotline.  As DHS began to investigate the report, workers discovered the 5 year old sibling of the patient, also had a large amount of severe bruising to the body.

Both children were removed from the home and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department was notified to investigate. It was discovered that on many occasions, Lane allegedly beat the children with a dog collar and one incident resulted in the broken arm.  During these incidents, along with the broken arm, Wyatt never attempted to stop nor report the incidents to anyone.

Both Lane and Wyatt refused to speak with law enforcement about the incidents.  Both remain incarcerated with a $25,000.00 bond each and awaiting their first appearance before the Marion County Circuit Court. The matter is still under investigation.