Woman charged with child abuse after whipping son with switch
DOWNTOWN JACKSON — A Jackson woman appeared Tuesday in city court on a child abuse charge after allegedly whipping her son with a switch, causing bruises on his arms, buttocks, back and legs. Police say Avonea Rhea admitted to whipping her 12-year-old son with a switch Sunday and told them she noticed bruises a few hours later. The boy’s father called police about the incident, and the boy described the whipping to officers, according to an affidavit. Investigators took photos of the boy’s injuries, the document states. Rhea’s bond is set at $25,000.
