MONROE — A Monroe mother and her live-in companion have been charged with child abuse felonies and drug charges, following separate investigations by police and child-welfare officials.
Charged in the case are Bobbie J. Hardin, 48, and Ricky B. Lenning, 50, both of 1078 4th Ave West, Unit 3.
Hardin and Lenning are both charged with manufacturing/delivery of cocaine, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, neglecting a child, maintaining a drug trafficking place and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
The mother of the 8-year-old victim also separately faces charges of physical abuse of a child, chronic neglect of a child, and neglect of a child, after Green County child welfare officials referred her case to police.
The child was reported by her school administrators to have several injuries, including on her head, right ear, both arms and legs; and abrasions on her right side of her stomach and scars. She also was very frail and skinny — apparently, authorities allege due to malnutrition.
In addition, doctors in Madison found that she had a fractured skull and broken tailbone.
“When one of the teachers was helping victim in the restroom, they noticed (she) had bruising on her legs, and when victim went to wash her hands, bruises were noticed on her arms,” said a criminal complaint in the matter. “The reporting person indicated (she) said her bruises were from her falling.”
Police allege that the bruises came at the hands of Hardin, her mother, who also is charged with a live-in companion with the drug charges from a separate investigation. Police reported having previous contacts with the family.
In the drug-related probe, conducted by the Stateline Area Narcotics Team, investigators monitored and set up undercover purchases of cocaine in Chicago that those living in the apartment brought back to Monroe to sell.
At some point, the victim must have ingested or had contact with the powerful drug.
“Laboratory testing of (her) hair follicle indicated the positive of cocaine, which is indicative exposure to cocaine,” police said in the complaint.
There were two separate incidents of cocaine purchasing that apparently led to arrests in the case.
“The confidential source provided the cocaine to your complainant, who weighed the cocaine at 14.4 grams …,” the complaint said.
The child was removed from the home and placed into the custody of child welfare officials. Hardin posted $4,000 bond in the drug case and is scheduled to appear in court again on the charges on October 11 before Circuit Judge Faun Phillipson. In the child abuse case, she was released on a $25,000 signature bond and scheduled to appear again on October 11.
For his part, Lenning posted a $1,000 cash bond and is scheduled for a plea/sentencing hearing before Phillipson for August 29.