Columbus police arrested and charged a 36-year-old mother of two with child abuse early today for allegedly beating her 7-year-old son with a car motor fan belt.
Diane Thomas Whitfield, 36, was arrested at her 911 Shady St. home at about 7:30 a.m. today by warrant detail officers led by the Criminal Investigations Division head, Lt. Selvain McQueen.
Whitfield — who also has a young daughter, according to neighbors — was accused by the boy”s father Saturday of taking the fan belt to their son”s “backside” Friday.
Police Public Information Officer Terrie Songer said the boy had “marks” on his body from the lashing, but had not required a trip to the hospital.
The boy is currently staying with his father, Songer said.
Neighbors, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the house was busy at all hours of the day and night, and that they had long suspected there would be trouble there.
Whitfield, whose bond had not been set by 9 a.m. today, is the second person arrested in Columbus this month for child abuse.
Police also arrested 25-year-old Jon-Michael Murray, of 74 Azalea Drive, for beating his 18-month-old daughter so severely her leg was broken June 10.
After police arrived at the Azalea Drive home, called there by the girl”s mother, they arrested Murray and charged him with child abuse.
His daughter was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle. In addition to her broken leg, she was treated for a previously broken arm and a cut on her face.
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