LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The mother of a child reportedly sexually abused by a man in Lawrenceburg has also been charged in connection with the assault.
According to WKRN News 2, the Lawrence County Sheriff reported Danielle Bowen, 22, was charged with felony child neglect and failure to seek medical attention.
Bowen’s son was reportedly raped by Simon Porter, 33, who was taken into custody Sunday in Alabama. He had previously been placed on TBI’s Most Wanted list.
“This case rips my heart out,” Lt. Blake Grooms with Lawrenceburg police told News 2. “I can’t even express it. I’m not even a parent, but when someone tells me that a 16-month-old child has been maliciously and intentionally hurt, words cannot describe it.”
Officers reportedly became aware of the assault after they were notified of the boy’s severe injuries by doctors at Vanderbilt University Medical Center Tuesday afternoon.
According to Grooms, Porter implicated himself in the crime involving the young boy during a police interview.
“The little boy was hurt pretty bad,” Lt. Grooms said. “To the point of permanent damage for the rest of his life.”