Aside from the psychological aspects, child abuse can cause children severe physical damage, leading to things like broken bones, paralysis, even limb amputation. Here are some examples of severe child abuse cases.

Cases of Severe Child Abuse

• In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the parents of a 2-year-old boy were arrested after Doctors say the child was so severely abused that his legs might have to be amputated. Police Sargent Louis Carlos said it appears the boy’s leg wounds were caused by a ligature of some kind. Antohony Apodaca, 26, and Jennifer Stephenson, 20, each face one count of child abuse. Apodaca told police that a 4 foot high chest fell on the boy, causing the injuries. (USA Today, 2-12-2010, pg 7A)

Scalding an Autistic Child
In San Antino, Texas, a man was sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to scalding an autistic girl in the shower after she had soiled herself. Brenda Solis, age 8, required skin grafts and physical therapy after suffering 2nd- and 3rd-degree burns in 2009. Prosecutors said the man was dating the girls mother at the time, who was not home when the child was hurt. (USA Today, 12-8-2010, pg 8A)