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Two facing child abuse charges after 13-year-old girl found with 'severe malnourishment, physical injuries'

Detectives arrested the girl's guardian over the weekend, but are searching for her 49-year-old boyfriend William Williams.

KENT COUNTY, Mich — The Kent County Sheriff's Office launched a child neglect investigation after a local hospital flagged a 13-year-old girl suffering from severe malnourishment and physical injuries over the weekend. 

Court documents filed in the case claim the girl's guardian and her boyfriend would both tie the girl to her bed each night with ratchet straps to prevent her from getting out of bed.

The sheriff's office worked alongside Child Protective Services and claims the injuries happened at a home in the 100 Block of Fontana St SE. Two other children who lived at the home are now in the custody of Child Protective Services. 

The girl's guardian, 50-year-old Wilma Edwards, is facing a child abuse charge. She was arrested over the weekend. 

Authorities are still searching for Edwards' boyfriend, 49-year-old William Williams. He's also facing a child abuse charge. 

Police said the 13-year-old girl remains in serious but stable condition at the hospital. 

If you have information that could help to move the investigation forward, you're asked to call the KCSO at 616-632-6125. You can also call Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 to report information safely and anonymously.

Credit: KCSO

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