MINDEN - The parents of a 5-month-old boy were charged Wednesday with felony child abuse after an emergency room doctor said the infant suffered multiple fractures, burns and bruises.
Jeremy Taylor, 28, and Marie Youmans, 27, appeared briefly Wednesday before East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl to hear the charges against them.
They each are accused of child abuse or neglect causing substantial bodily harm from May 1-July 11.
The charge carries punishment ranging from probation to up to 20 years in prison upon conviction.
The complaint says the suspects caused or permitted the child to suffer fractures to his skull, arms and ribs, multiple abrasions and bruising throughout the body, and burns to his buttocks, legs and or feet.
The parents are being held in Douglas County Jail on $25,000 bail each.
EnEarl appointed lawyer Derrick Lopez to represent Taylor and lawyer Kris Brown for Youmans. Young and Brown also are representing them in child protective proceedings in district court.
Their next court appearance is July 21.
Deputies were contacted early Sunday by Carson-Tahoe Regional Healthcare after the infant's parents and grandparents brought the baby in for what they said was a rash.
The physician said the fractures were in various stages of healing and could be one week to one month old.
The baby was transferred to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.
According to reports, the grandmother told deputies she had been concerned about the baby's welfare for months.
She told deputies she and the baby's grandfather insisted the parents bring the child to the hospital.
On July 7, the parents took the baby to his doctor who said he was malnourished and required medication and an improved diet.
The grandmother also said she had observed Youmans allegedly drop the baby after she picked him up from his crib.
Taylor refused to talk with deputies, according to reports.
Youmans said she had primary responsibility for the baby's care but denied that she or her husband injured the infant. She said she didn't know what happened to her son.
She said Taylor bathed the baby on Friday night and his skin looked "kind of pink" on Saturday.
Prosecutor Laurie Trotter said she was not permitted to discuss facts of the case which is still under investigation.