A Memphis mother was arrested at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital after authorities accused her of failing to follow through on care for her six-month-old son, whose unexplained fractures later raised a complicated medical question. Kayla Antonette Wells, 24, is charged with child neglect involving a child age 8 or younger and is being held on a $10,000 bond.
According to WREG, the boy was brought to Le Bonheur in April for congestion and a possible arm injury. Hospital staff found multiple unexplained fractures that were initially suspected to be the result of non-accidental trauma, but additional testing later revealed a bone disorder that may have caused the injuries.
What The Child Neglect Charge Means
Tennessee law says a person who knowingly abuses or neglects a child in a way that harms the child’s health or welfare can face a child-neglect charge. When the child is 8 or younger, the offense is classified as a Class E felony under Tennessee law; the charge is an allegation, and Wells remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Hospital staff told police that Wells did not attend scheduled appointments for her son and had been informed about his diagnosis and the care plan needed to treat him. She was arrested Tuesday at Le Bonheur and is expected to appear in court Thursday morning, according to WREG.
