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James Lawson III, left, and Stephanie Komphaby, right, appear in booking photos. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
A couple in Arizona faces multiple criminal charges after their infant girl was hospitalized with bite marks and broken bones.
James Lawson III, 24, and Stephanie Komphabay, 21, each stand accused of multiple counts of child abuse, according to local police and Maricopa County Jail Records reviewed by Law&Crime.
Content warning: graphic depictions of child abuse follow.
On Aug. 1, detectives with the Peoria Police Department were called to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in response to a call about a 2-month-old girl suffering from multiple fractures as well as bite marks on her left arm and her right leg, according to court documents obtained by local Fox affiliate KSAZ.
“These injuries consisted of bruises to the face, swelling to an eye, bloody lip, and an abrasion on the forehead,” one document reads.
Police say the abuse began in July.
Early that month, the baby had a bloody upper lip, independent Phoenix TV station KTVK reports, citing police. The next day, her left eye was swollen. By July 18, the girl’s forehead was cut and swollen. The following week, both of her arms and legs were broken.
Lawson allegedly sent pictures and texts about the abuse suffered by the child. The male suspect also allegedly used Google to search for incriminating phrases such as, “if you choke baby hit the head get lumpy,” and “Can you put ice on newborn head,” according to court records.
“When the victim would cry, [Lawson] would grab the victim by the jaw area with both hands, squeeze the mouth shut, lifting the victim by the jaw area causing both feet to dangle while stating he knew what he was doing,” court documents read.
Komphabay allegedly expressed concern about the child’s injuries – at first. In response, Lawson would tell her that the baby caused her injuries by scratching herself or fighting with him, police say. But soon, the woman’s inquiries stopped.
Komphabay allegedly told law enforcement that she stopped asking Lawson about the girl’s injuries because he “would get upset and become defensive.” Detectives also allege that Lawson told the woman to “keep her mouth shut” about the child’s injuries.
“All of this took place for an entire month, yet [Komphabay] did not report or stop [Lawson], causing the victim to obtain further more severe injuries,” one of the court documents alleges.
Finally, Komphabay took the girl to a pediatrician’s office in Peoria on Aug. 1 because the child’s left had swollen and wasn’t healing. As the reality of the situation set in, Lawson apparently got angry that the child was heading to the hospital in nearby Phoenix.
“These cases are hard on everybody involved,” PPD Public Information Officer Kristopher Babros told Law&Crime. “From the patrol officers that respond to these scenes to the detectives that also take over the cases and the investigations. It’s difficult on everybody involved.”
The child has since been released from the hospital and is in the custody of the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
Both defendants were arrested on Oct. 5. Lawson is detained on $50,000 bond. Komphabay appears to have bonded out.
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