Recently, authorities arrested a Tennessee woman in relation to an incident involving an infant baby girl who was allegedly bitten multiple times. The charges hint at a pattern of family abuse across generations.
According to an affidavit filed with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in Sessions Court, Lisa Ashley, 20, has been charged with one count each of child abuse and child neglect. On July 6, a deputy responded to the Ashley residence on Smith Jones Lane in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, following reports of child abuse from Lisa Ashley’s father and stepmother, David and Jessica Ashley.
Jessica Ashley shared with the deputy photographs of her baby girl with “marks and bruises” and a “bite mark” on the infant’s knee. Additionally, Deputy Logan Faulkner noted a bruise on the baby’s face. The couple expressed worries for the child’s safety due to the incidents and mentioned that Lisa Ashley was currently living with a friend.
The following day, deputies arrived at the apartment where Lisa Ashley was staying with a friend and her husband. Upon inspection of the infant, Faulkner saw the bruise on the child’s face and a bite mark on her knee, as well as a bruise on her bottom. The three adults living in the apartment all stated that they loved and adored the baby.
The friend then mentioned to the deputy that Lisa Ashley had been a victim of verbal and physical abuse from her father as a child and may still have the injuries to prove it. When asked, Lisa Ashley said she did have a mark on her leg from something her father had thrown at her.
Furthermore, when asked by a deputy if she had bitten her daughter, Lisa Ashley allegedly admitted to it, saying she felt guilt and began praying immediately afterwards. Lisa Ashley also reported to the deputy that she was suffering from postpartum depression.
Following this, child welfare agents arrived to take pictures and interview the defendant, who again admitted to biting her daughter on the face and knee. Her friend also reportedly admitted to knowing about the incidents.
As a result, Lisa Ashley was arrested on July 7 and taken to the Hamilton County Jail. Jail records show that she is no longer being detained. The sheriff’s office declined to comment due to the juvenile victim involved.