Children severely injured in sexual Child Abuse case, Butler County couple arrested

Butler County, AL  –  A Butler County couple was arrested this week after two siblings were found severely beaten at the suspects’ home, WSFA reported.

Jonathan Smith, 33, and Michelle Smith, 30, were arrested after the brother and sister, who are under the age of 12, were found when authorities responded to a medical emergency call at a home in the Greenmore community on Monday.

Sheriff Kenny Harden said medics rushed the children to L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital in Greenville.  They were then transported to Children’s of Alabama hospital in Birmingham.

Harden didn’t give details about the severity of the children’s injuries or the abuse.  He told reporters this was one of the worst cases the sheriff’s office has ever investigated.

The sheriff said the abuse occurred Saturday at the couple’s home, but the Smiths did not seek medical help until Monday.

Both Jonathan and Michelle Smith have been charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse (family), two counts of sexual torture and two counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12.

Both suspects have been placed in Butler County Jail on a $1 million bond.