Couple Denied Bond in Kershaw Abuse Case

(WOLO) LUGOFF, S.C., — 24 year old Catharine Ammons and 27 year old James Watson will remain behind bars in the Kershaw County detention center following a bond hearing Monday evening. The couple appeared before a judge wearing prison jumpsuits and showing little emotion as attorney’s and police investigating the allegations detailed graphic injuries found on Ammons 4 year old daughter. Officials say the little girl is in ICU, too malnourished to undergo needed surgeries for two broken arms and a broken leg. According to court documents, the child had bruising on the palm of her hands, top of her feet, around her throat, torso and had a lacerated liver. During the 30 minute hearing investigators stated the child’s mother initially claimed her daughter injured herself during a fall. Police say she later admitted to beating the child with a belt. However, officials investigating the case told the presiding judge the injuries were not consistent with lacerations from a belt, but rather from severe blows. The Solicitor’s office requested the judge deny bond or issue the highest bond possible. One investigator testified that Ammons admitted to beating the child and even held the 4 year old down so Watson, her live in boyfriend could beat the child. According to attorney’s Ammons was afraid if she intervened she would be beaten instead. Authorities allege Ammons also stated during an interview that she coached the child to tell authorities that she fell down and in fact falls down a lot. Police say the child’s biological father did contact the hospital to check on his daughter’s welfare, but has yet to contact authorities. They believe outstanding warrants may be keeping him at bay. Both Ammons and Watson who are charged with unlawful neglect of a child, inflicting great bodily harm on a child and allowing someone else to inflict bodily harm on a child could face 35 years in Prison if convicted.