A Carter County Detention Center officer was fired from his job Tuesday, minutes after he was charged with child abuse in district court.
Steven Marshall faces a single felony charge of child abuse and was terminated from his job based on an investigation conducted by the Carter County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Ken Grace said his department was notified by the Department of Human Services Child Welfare Division Aug. 18 concerning the beating of an 8-year-old child.
“We were told Plainview School had made a referral to DHS. Deputy Matt Dunn was assigned the case,” Grace said.
“The child was taken into immediately emergency custody.”
Based on information garnered by Dunn’s investigation, District Attorney Craig Ladd filed the charge in district court Tuesday.
The charge alleges the 29-year-old Marshall repeatedly hit the child, “...with his hands with such a degree of force as to cause severe bruising on her buttocks.” If convicted, Marshall faces possible penalties ranging from a year in the county jail, where he served as a detention officer, up to life in prison and/or fines of not less than $500 or more than $5,000.
Marshall was not arrested. Instead the district attorney’s office has issued a summons ordering him to make an initial appearance in district court Sept. 4. The summons warns Marshall that if he fails to appear in court a warrant will be issued for his arrest.
Grace said along with the charges came termination.
“Effective this date (Tuesday) he is no longer employed,” Grace said.
Marsha Miller 221-6529
marsha.miller@ardmoreite.com
