Elk City Couple Arrested After Severe Case Of Child Abuse

An Elk City couple is facing serious charges after a 9-week-old child showed up at a hospital suffering from several injuries, after what police believe is a severe case of child abuse.

Ashlee Christian and Jamal Torrence, both 20 years old, were arrested on June 7 after showing up to Great Plains Regional Medical Center in Elk City with their 9-week-old son.

The child was taken to the emergency room for seizures and respiratory arrest, but doctors also discovered bruising all over the child's body. Medical staff informed police that they believed the child's injuries were the result of child abuse.

It was later discovered that the baby had two broken arms, one broken leg, and brain trauma. The trauma to the young boy's brain was so great, doctors say he may have severely impaired vision or possible blindness.

Police arrived at the hospital and interviewed both Christian and Torrence. Christian told officers that they brought the baby in to have blood drawn and he started to have a seizure and needed to be taken to the ER.

She also told police that she'd taken the child to the doctor two days prior for his two-month checkup. Torrence also told police this, and said that at the time doctors said the child was doing well.

Doctors showed the baby to officers, and said that the child was in critical condition and needed to be transported to Children's Hospital in OKC.

Both Christian and Torrence were taken into custody at the Beckham County Jail shortly thereafter, charged with child abuse. They have since bonded out.