Eight-month-old covered in bruises, couple arrested for neglect

MARSHALL COUNTY, Ind. -- The Marshall County Sheriff's Department reports they were called to St. Joseph Regional Hospital regarding an 8-month-old with injuries from an alleged fall on Friday, Sept. 6 around 2:30 p.m.

Child Protective Services were also notified at that time.

The report states the child had various marks and bruises on her body. This includes bruises which appeared fresh to authorities.

Specific injuries noted included a large hematoma on the left side of her forehead, which appeared swollen, a yellow colored small, circular bruise on her left cheek, and red marks on her back.

The child also appeared to have green and yellow bruises on the right side of her face and a yellow circular bruise on her chest. She also had bruising to the back of her ear.

The tending physician told deputies the child had a skeletal survey completed at the ER which indicated a healing eighth rib fracture.

The child was taken to an alternate caregiver home.

The Marshall County Sheriff's Detective Bureau then began a criminal investigation into the incident.

A case report was completed and forwarded to the Marshall County Prosecutor's Office for review.

The Marshall County Prosecutor's Office filed formal criminal charges for Neglect of a Dependant, a Level 5 Felony, against 21-year-old Julia Harrison-Gibbs and 21-year-old Andrew Paluzzi, both of South Bend.

Lt. Detective Les McFarland with Marshall County traveled to South Bend, and with the assistance of South Bend Police Department, located the couple.

Paluzzi and Harrison-Gibbs were arrested, transported, and booked into the Marshall County Jail.

Both were given cash bonds of $10,000.