Mother Arrested For Not Reporting Beating Of Child

(Olive Branch, MS) An Olive Branch, MS mother is locked up, in trouble for not reporting her boyfriend after police say he brutally beat her 3-year old son.

Melanie Bills faces felony child neglect and has a half million dollar bond.

“This was a severe beating, it took place in a home she was at, it was her son. She did not report it for whatever reason, and didn’t seek medical attention for this child.” said Olive Branch Police Chief Don Gammage.

The baby boy was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and treated for blunt force trauma. 

He survived, thanks to his grandmother who stepped up and reported the beating.  

His mother’s boyfriend, 26-year-old David Martin now faces aggravated child abuse and a has a million dollar bond.

“In all the years, I’ve been  in this profession it was probably the worst beating I’ve ever seen,” said Gammage.

But, he says, the abuse that happened earlier this month isn’t isolated.

Investigators believe the toddler was physically abused for weeks, and they say Bills never said a word.

A red flag the 3-year old’s biological father, Terry Hills Sr., raised to News Channel earlier in the investigation, “She is just as guilty as he is.” 

Gammage says he’s heartbroken over the recent murder of a 3-year old in Memphis, and other reported cases of severe child abuse in Mississippi. 

He’s urging anyone who may notice a child being abused to report it ASAP, “We will do what we need to do to make sure that child safe.” said Gammage.

Bills heads to court later this week.