"Lizzy" AMMONS - 4 yo/ Accused: Mother-Catherine Ammons and James Watson - Lugoff/ Columbia SC

Bond was denied Monday afternoon for the
mother and live-in boyfriend accused in a case that Kershaw County
Sheriff Jim Matthews described as "horrific."
Matthews said 24-year-old Catharine Ammons
and 27-year-old James Watson of Lugoff were charged with assault and
battery of a high and aggravated nature and allowing a person to afflict
harm to a child.


The two were arrested by deputies after hospital officials at Kershaw Health notified law enforcement of possible child abuse.

Over several months of abuse, Sheriff
Matthews says hospital officials determined Ammons' 4-year-old daughter
suffered two broken arms and a broken leg.

Hospital officials contacted the Kershaw
County Sheriff's Office after determining that the child's injuries were
not consistent with the explanation how she received them. Doctors
determined that the injuries had occurred several months ago, and they
had begun to heal without necessary medical attention at the time the
injuries occurred.

In questioning with investigators, Matthews
says Ammons and Watson eventually admitted abusing the little girl.
Ammons admitted she did not stop the abuse or call law enforcement.

Matthews says both also admitted they rehearsed with the victim what to say to cover up the beatings.

"I cannot imagine what this little girl went
through prior to and after the beatings which broke both of her arms and
a leg," said Matthews. "The pain and mental anguish she suffered had to
be horrible. And to make matters even worse, neither of her caregivers
sought medical help for 4-5 months. This is despicable."

The little girl is in the custody of DSS and
is in an intensive care unit at an undisclosed hospital. A DSS worker
told Matthews that the girl needs surgery, but she is too malnourished
to have it done right now.

Ammons and Watson were originally charged with unlawful neglect toward a child, but the additional charges were filed Monday.

http://www.wistv.com/story/17652954/sheriff-calls-child-abuse-case-horriffic

On Sunday the Camden community came together to support a 4-year-old
Kershaw County girl who was hospitalized due to what deputies say is
abuse.
It's been one week since two adults were arrested and charged with
abusing the child, so much so, she suffered two broken arms and one leg.
Her mother, 24-year-old Catharine Ammons and her boyfriend, 27-year-old
James Watson were also charged with unlawful neglect of a child.

A number of total strangers came together to help that little girl,
who we're calling "Lizzy." Because she is in custody of the state, her
medical bills are covered but people still wanted to do something for
her.

They set up a fund with the United Way of Kershaw County and
eventually that money will be used for things like clothes when she is
placed in a new home.

"My heart broke for this little girl," said Melissa Ogle, an
organizer of Sunday's event. "I have a 4-year-old and 8-year-old and I
could not imagine what that little girl was thinking or going through
while she was being abused."

"It makes me feel good that the community can come out and support
something like this, I mean to turn their anger into something
positive," said participant Anthony Anderson.

"All I can do, and all we can do as a community, is come together and
pray for her and raise money for her and raise money for child abuse
awareness," said Ogle.

Although a picture has been circulated around the community, News 19 is choosing not to share her photo at this time.

http://www.wltx.com/news/article/185881/2/Strangers-Raise-Money-For-Abused-Toddler