Louisville PARENTS ARRESTED FOR child abuse investigation after two young children hospitalized

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two Louisville parents are facing multiple felony charges following what police describe as a “significant” child abuse investigation that left two young children hospitalized with severe injuries.

Louisville Metro Police say 27-year-old Nicholas Shanks and 25-year-old Shelby Kuntz were arrested Thursday and each charged with two counts of domestic violence assault, two counts of criminal abuse involving a child 12 or younger, two counts of wanton endangerment, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor.

According to court documents, detectives with LMPD’s Special Victims Unit were notified after a 2-year-old child was brought to UofL Hospital in full cardiac arrest. Police say the child was transported to the hospital by private vehicle and that 911 was never called. The child was resuscitated and later transferred to Norton Children’s Hospital.

Hospital staff reported the 2-year-old suffered an occipital skull fracture, missing teeth, two rib fractures believed to be at least two weeks old, extensive bruising, severe anemia from blood loss, and elevated lab results indicating muscle, liver, and possible pancreatic injuries. The child was also described as extremely underweight and emaciated.

Detectives then went to a home on Goldenrod Road to check on other children. A 1-year-old child was found with what officers described as obvious signs of trauma. EMS was called, and the child was transported to Norton Children’s Hospital. Authorities have not confirmed how many other children may have been in the home at the time.

Doctors determined the 1-year-old suffered multiple possible skull fractures, a possible jaw fracture, bleeding inside the skull, lacerations above both eyes, trauma to the nose and mouth with at least one missing tooth, elevated liver enzymes, severe anemia, and signs of extreme malnourishment.

NEW UPDATE - GRANDMOTHER NOW ARRESTED!
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https://kentuckyonlinebreakingnews.com/grandmother-arrested-in-louisville-child-abuse-investigation-after-two-young-children-hospitalized




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Court records state Shanks and Kuntz were the only individuals responsible for the care of the children and the only ones who had been around them. Police say the parents failed to seek emergency medical assistance despite the severity of the children’s injuries, placing their lives in danger.

In addition to the child abuse charges, Shanks is also facing a charge of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and one count of promoting contraband. According to an arrest citation, officers asked Shanks if he had any drugs or weapons before entering Metro Corrections, and he denied having any. During processing, officers reportedly found multiple crystal-like substances in his pants. Shanks told police it was rock salt, but a K-9 unit alerted to the substance, which was sent for testing.

Both Shanks and Kuntz are scheduled to appear in court Friday morning for arraignment.