Virginia Couple Arrested After 5-Month-Old Baby Brought to Hospital With Rat Bites Filled With Maggot Larva: Police

A couple from Virginia was taken into custody this week following the alleged incident where their 5-month-old son endured significant injuries from rat bites that were filled with maggot larva, according to authorities.

On June 5, Child Protective Services was called to a hospital in Clinch Valley regarding an infant with serious injuries, the Bluefield Daily Telegraph reported.

The child’s mother, 20-year-old Sellina Coleman, initially said the bites were from a cat, but later said they were rodent bites, officials said.

Tazewell County police were called to the hospital and they said the injuries were not consistent with a cat and maggot larva was present in the severe wounds, the Telegraph reported.

When talking with police, Coleman said the first bite occurred four days before the emergency room visit.

Officers went to the couple’s Falls Mills home to check on their 15-month-old son. During the visit, deputies did spot a rat. The children’s father, 38-year-old Michael Stevenson, allegedly told police that a similar incident occurred with their 15-month-old son also.

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Both Coleman and Stevenson were arrested and charged with child abuse and neglect with serious injury, officials said.

They remain behind bars without bond.

According to authorities, both children have been removed from the home and are staying with family members.