A Blackford County father and stepmother are facing a series of felony charges after a 7-year-old girl was hospitalized with extensive bruising, a seizure, and what doctors described as a “severe” brain injury.
Ryan Revis, 28, and Jennifer Revis, 33, are being held at the Blackford County Jail. According to court documents, Ryan is charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury. Jennifer faces two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury, aggravated battery, and two counts of domestic battery. Together, the charges carry a potential sentence approaching 120 years.
During interviews with police, the couple attempted to blame each other for the abuse, but both admitted to various forms of physical violence, including open-hand and closed-fist hitting, pushing and choking, according to records obtained by 21Investigates, reports Fox affiliate WXIN.
Police described the language Jennifer used toward and about the child as “abhorrent.” Officers were dispatched to the family’s home on West Commercial Street in Hartford City on Tuesday after the girl collapsed and began seizing.
Jennifer told investigators the incident began when the girl pushed her brother. She said she grabbed the child and yelled at her, and during the confrontation, the family dog bit the girl. The child screamed, fell to the floor, and began seizing, Jennifer claimed.
First responders arriving at the scene found the child unresponsive with “bruises all over her,” court documents state. She was first taken to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, where a doctor told police she did not believe the child would survive. The girl was later transported to Riley Hospital for Children and underwent surgery to relieve pressure on her brain caused by blunt force trauma.
She told police the abuse was “rage-induced,” sparked by perceived disrespect, but could only provide “vague” descriptions of what she considered disrespectful. “I see rage, bro,” she said. “When she talks to me like that, I just see rage, and I don’t know. I just lost it.”
The girl’s injuries included a fractured ankle, heavy bruising to the buttocks, full-body bruising, swelling and patterns consistent with repeated blunt force trauma. The child’s current condition has not been disclosed. Ryan and Jennifer Revis are scheduled to make their first court appearances next week.
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