A 25-year-old Douglas man was charged with child cruelty Monday as the result of an investigation that began in January.
Coffee County sheriff’s deputies responded to Coffee Regional Medical Center on Jan. 21, 2019, in reference to a report of child abuse. A female at the scene stated her six-month-old had suffered severe bruising to the abdominal area, face, and buttocks, and Coffee County detectives responded to the scene.
On Feb. 4, 2019, authorities arrested Senie Bennefield, Jr. on charges unrelated to this incident (simple battery and parole violation). Upon further investigation by the criminal investigations division, Bennefield was charged with first degree cruelty to children in regards to the Jan. 21 report.