By David Howell

    A 24-year-old man has been charged with felony child abuse and domestic violence after a twoyear-old child was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis and treated for second and third degree burns.

Sardis Police Chief Marcel Jojola reported that Deshawn Newton was charged for his alleged role in the incident. Jojola added that Newton is not a resident of Sardis, but was staying here at the time of his arrest.

Newton is the boyfriend of the child’s mother and was taken into custody Dec. 4, where he was initially questioned by authorities before being booked at the David M. Bryan Justice Center.

The child’s mother was also questioned by police.

Newton told authorities he had transported the victim to Tri-Lakes Medical Center around 11 p.m. Friday night, according to Jojola. The victim was transported from Tri-Lakes to Le Bonheur early the next morning.

“The child was transported to Memphis because of the severity of the injuries,” Jojola explained. A?medical expert at Le Bonheur is assisting authorities with the case.

The chief added that the Department of Human Services removed a second child from the residence on West Lee Street and placed her in protective custody.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is assisting the local police with the investigation.