A 30-year-old Smith County woman has been arrested following an investigation into allegations that she physically injured her toddler son.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Samantha Bankhead, of Whitehouse, is accused of causing multiple bruises and other injuries to her young child.
THE INVESTIGATION
The investigation began following an incident in June when the child’s grandmother picked him up from Bankhead’s residence in Whitehouse. According to the affidavit, the grandmother noticed visible bruising on the child and questioned Bankhead about the injuries.
Bankhead reportedly told the grandmother that a dresser had fallen on the child, causing the bruises.
Concerned about the extent of the injuries, the grandmother took the toddler to a hospital for medical evaluation.
She also photographed the child’s injuries, which reportedly included linear bruising on his face, broken blood vessels in one eye and additional bruises on his arms, shoulder and neck.
Investigators noted that the bruises appeared to be in various stages of healing, suggesting the injuries may have occurred on separate occasions.
During the investigation, a Smith County deputy reviewed photographs of the injuries and consulted a medical expert specializing in child abuse and adult neglect investigations.
According to the affidavit, the medical expert determined that the child’s injuries were inconsistent with the explanation that a dresser had fallen on him.
The expert also concluded that the facial injuries were not consistent with accidental trauma or injuries typically associated with normal childhood play.
Based on the findings of the investigation, authorities arrested Bankhead.
She was subsequently booked into the Smith County Jail, where she was reported to be held on a $150,000 bond.
The allegations outlined in the arrest warrant affidavit have not been proven in court. Bankhead is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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