A couple has been arrested after one of their children told law enforcement about “whoopings” he gets at home that left marks on his body. The investigation into 26-year-old Jeffrey Clinton Maxwell of Mountain View and 24-year-old Elizabeth Ann Whorton of rural Melbourne started when the Izard County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division of a report that had been made with the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline.
Investigators found a six-year-old male, three-year-old female and one-year-old female in the home south of Melbourne, all of whom are children of Maxwell and Whorton. The six-year-old explained he got in trouble at school and his dad “whooped” with a belt. He says his Dad and Mom give him “whoopings” that leave marks on his body. He says they also give “whoopings” to his sisters.
Investigators noticed extensive bruising across most of the boy’s body during their examination along with scarring.
When investigators asked Whorton about the injuries, they said she was very nonchalant and appeared unconcerned, saying the boy’s dad had “whooped” him too much a few days earlier. She said the markings were normal. She said the “whoopings” happen about once a week.
When asked if Maxwell has ever been violent with her, she said no. She indicated she allowed the beatings to happen to the children so they would not happen to her. She said she told investigators she tried to leave Maxwell one time, but came back.
Maxwell told investigators he was providing “tough love” and minimized his actions towards the boy.
Maxwell is charged with a felony count of domestic battery in the second degree and two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a minor. He is being held in the Izard County Detention Center on bonds totaling $15,000.
Whorton is charged with a felony charge of permitting abuse of a minor and two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor. She is free on $5,000 bond.
The children were turned over to the custody of the Izard County Department of Child and Family Services.
At the time of the investigation, the three-year-old also had marks on her body consistent with physical abuse.
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