Richmond man charged with child abuse after DCBS investigation

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Richmond man is facing multiple charges including child abuse following an investigation by the Department for Community Based Services, according to an arrest citation obtained by LEX 18 News.

Sean Elwood, 27, was arrested and taken to the Madison County Detention Center after officers from the Richmond Police Department responded to a home on Robinson Terrace where a social worker had been investigating a report of a child with a broken collarbone.

During the initial investigation, the social worker observed one child with their arm in a sling and discovered another child in the home with bruises on their arm, back, and eyes, as well as cuts, according to the citation. The injuries prompted DCBS to request police involvement, and Richmond officers who responded to the scene also documented the injuries on both children.

After interviewing the children, officers questioned Elwood, leading to his arrest. He is now facing two counts of first-degree criminal abuse of a child 12 or under, second-degree assault in connection with domestic violence, fourth-degree assault with minor injury in connection with domestic violence, and possession of marijuana, the citation states.

The charges represent some of Kentucky's most serious child abuse allegations. First-degree criminal abuse of a child is a felony offense that carries significant penalties under state law.

The case remains under investigation. Additional details about the circumstances surrounding the injuries and the exact timeline of events have not been released.