Indiana parents arrested for allegedly abusing daughter, bashing her head into wall

KOKOMO, Ind. (TCD) -- A 32-year-old man and 38-year-old woman face several charges for allegedly abusing their malnourished 9-year-old daughter.

According to a statement, on March 24, officials from the Kokomo School Corporation called the Kokomo Police Department for a possible child abuse case. The 9-year-old girl reportedly had bruising on her body and met with a member from the Howard County Department of Child Services. The girl was reportedly taken out of her parents' care and transported to a nearby hospital.

The statement says the girl weighed 48.5 pounds and was deemed malnourished by medical personnel.

The girl's father, Tracy Seats, was arrested May 2 on charges of domestic battery with serious bodily injury to a person under 14, neglect resulting in bodily injury, domestic battery with bodily injury to a person under 14 years of age, intimidation with a deadly weapon, and strangulation. Amy Smith, who was taken into custody the same day, also faces charges of domestic battery with serious bodily injury to a person under 14 years of age, neglect resulting in bodily injury, and domestic battery with bodily injury to a person under 14.

According to court documents cited by WXIN-TV, Seats allegedly grabbed his daughter's neck then hit her head against the wall. He also allegedly picked up a hammer and acted like he was going to hit her.

The girl would reportedly walk up and down her street asking her neighbors for food.

Maj. Brian Seldon with the Kokomo Police Department told WXIN the girl "had bruising to her body" and "appeared disheveled."

Seats and Smith were both booked into the Howard County Detention Center.

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