VIVIAN, La. - A Vivian police officer and his girlfriend have been arrested following an investigation into the alleged abuse of a one-year-old child, according to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives responded Saturday, May 23, to a report from North Caddo Medical Center involving an injured child. When investigators arrived, they found a large handprint-shaped bruise on the child’s back, a bite mark on the lower right leg, and bruising around both eyes.
Authorities said the child’s mother told detectives the child had been in the care of his biological father, Christian Hill, a police officer with the Vivian Police Department, and Hill’s girlfriend, Ashlee West.
According to investigators, the mother said she was told the child received a “whooping” after allegedly biting West, who then reportedly bit the child back. She also stated neither adult sought medical attention for the child nor informed her about the injuries.
Investigators said Hill admitted to hitting the child, causing bruising to the child’s back. West admitted to biting the child and told detectives the bruising around the child’s eyes may have been caused by falls while the child was in her care.
Hill was arrested on one count of cruelty to juveniles. West was charged with two counts of cruelty to juveniles.