Sisters accused of texting endangered baby photo
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Two sisters face felony charges after allegedly staging pictures of a baby in danger and sending them to the infant’s father.
The Charleston Daily Mail reports the photos showed someone holding a knife to the infant’s throat. A substance resembling blood was on the child’s clothing.
Charleston Police Sgt. Tony Hazelett says Cecile and Meleny Kranwinkle are charged with felony child neglect. They also face misdemeanor charges of obscene and harassing telephone calls.
According to Hazelett, police received a call from a man in New York who said someone was texting him disturbing pictures of his 4-month-old baby.
Officers found the baby and two other children unharmed at the apartment building where the baby’s 23-year-old mother, Meleny Kranwinkle, and 22-year-old aunt live. The baby’s shirt was found, and the red substance was determined not to be blood. The photo was found on the aunt’s cellphone.
“We did a child protective services referral, and the children were placed with another family member,” Hazelett said.