Police: Couple abused 6-month-old child

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - A young Hampton couple is behind bars after allegedly abusing a 6-month-old child, now in critical condition.

According to Jason Price with the Hampton Police Division, 21-year-old Daniel Lunsford and 20-year-old Brittany Whalen have been charged with child abuse stemming from a Dec. 29 incident in which the infant was assaulted.

Court documents obtained by WAVY.com state Lunsford struck the child twice that day, "on the left side of the face two times causing severe bruising and lacerations to the head, cheek, lips and ears. The blows also caused several internal injuries."

Lunsford told Whalen, a certified EMT and mother of the child, the injuries were caused by "a cat landing on the child and the child falling into a wall."

According to the court documents, Whalen was aware the child's injuries were serious and were not caused the way Lunsford claimed they were.

Medical attention for the child was not sought until Jan. 1, when Lunsford realized the child was not breathing.

"It doesn't matter whether they're six months, six years or 60 years. It's abuse and it's terrible people like that have children in their care," said the couple's neighbor, Mary.

Lunsford has been charged with one count of felony child abuse and Whalen was charged with one count of felony child abuse and one count of fail to secure medical attention.

In the documents, Lunsford's employer is listed as US Navy and Whalen's employer is listed as First Med.

The child remained in critical condition and Lunsford and Whalen are in custody at the Hampton City Jail.