Police: 3-year-old never given solid food, parents arrested

Police have arrested a couple after they say their three-year-old child was never transitioned to solid food. (WFIE)
Published: Aug. 12, 2024 at 11:29 AM CDT|Updated: Aug. 12, 2024 at 4:20 PM CDT

MADISONVILLE, Ky. (WFIE) - Madisonville Police have arrested a couple after they say their three-year-old child was never transitioned to solid food.

Officers say Jayda McDowell and Cody Alfred, both 32, are charged with criminal abuse of a child.

Both are held on $1,000 cash bonds in the Hopkins County Jail.

JAYDA MCDOWELL(Hopkins County Jail)
CODY ALFRED(Hopkins County Jail)

Police say the couple claims the child had a disorder and couldn’t eat solid food, but they never got a diagnosis from a doctor.

They say the child was only being given milk.

Officers say she had calcium deposits on her teeth.

They say she’s in the custody of social services now and doing well.