Grandmother arrested in Louisville child abuse investigation after two young children hospitalized

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville grandmother has been arrested in connection with a severe child abuse investigation after two young children were rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Police say 49-year-old Yvonne Shanks is the third person charged in the case, which investigators have described as significant. She faces multiple charges, including complicity to assault involving domestic violence, complicity to criminal abuse of a child under 12, complicity to wanton endangerment, and complicity to endangering the welfare of a minor.

According to court records, Louisville Metro Police were notified on Jan. 15 after a 2-year-old child arrived at UofL Health Hospital in full cardiac arrest. Authorities say the child was transported by private vehicle and that no 911 call was made.

Medical staff reported the child suffered extensive injuries, including a skull fracture to the back of the head, missing teeth, multiple rib fractures believed to be weeks old, widespread bruising, severe blood loss, signs of muscle damage, liver and possible pancreatic injuries, and extreme malnourishment.

Following that report, officers went to a home on Goldenrod Road in the Valley Station area to check on other children. There, police say they found a 1-year-old child lying on a bed with visible signs of trauma. EMS was called, and the child was taken to Norton Children’s Hospital.

Yvonne Shanks pleaded not guilty during a court appearance Saturday and is being held on a $250,000 cash bond. She is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 26.

The parents also pleaded not guilty and are each being held on $500,000 full cash bonds.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Doctors later determined the 1-year-old had multiple suspected skull fractures, possible jaw fractures, bleeding inside the skull, facial lacerations, mouth and dental injuries, nasal trauma, internal bleeding, liver injury, and was also severely underweight.

Investigators say Shanks admitted she had noticed injuries to one of the children on Jan. 15 but failed to seek medical care or call for emergency assistance. Police allege she allowed the infant to remain in the care of individuals who caused serious physical harm.

The children’s parents, 27-year-old Nicholas Shanks and 25-year-old Shelby Kuntz, were arrested earlier and face multiple felony charges, including assault, criminal abuse, wanton endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a minor. Court documents state the parents were the only caregivers with access to the children.