A 17-year-old is behind bars in Cherokee County, N.C., on charges of child abuse involving an infant.
Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer Lilyaunna Helene Kiff-Hall, of Murphy is being held on a $50,000 secure bond on a charge of felony child abuse inflicting serious injury, according to a news release.
On Nov. 15, authorities received a call from a physician at a Chattanooga hospital who said that earlier in the day an infant who was experiencing breathing problems was flown to Chattanooga from the Martins Creek Community of Cherokee County. The physician said that after examining the infant there were injuries that were consistent with child abuse. That information was relayed to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office and the Cherokee County Department of Social Services, Palmer said.
Authorities began an investigation that included search warrants for the residence of the infant. During the search items of evidence were collected which included at least one cellular device, Palmer said.
Kiff-Hall was arrested at the Cherokee County Detention Center on Nov. 20. Kiff-Hall is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court Dec. 5th at 9 a.m.
"This is a very sad situation, especially this time of the year," Palmer said. "Our investigation is far from over and we expect additional charges as we progress."
Sheriff Palmer asks anyone with information concerning this case to call 828-837-3144 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.