FRANKLIN, Neb. (AP) – Three family members have been arrested in the death of a Franklin County toddler in southern Nebraska.
The Nebraska State Patrol say 2-year-old Joseph Rinehart of Naponee died after he was taken to a hospital Monday night. The patrol say an autopsy shows he died of head and internal injuries caused by blunt force trauma.
Officials say the boy’s mother, 24-year-old Laura Rinehart, and his grandparents, Peter and Nancy Draper, were arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death.
Rinehart was being held in the Phelps County jail. Peter Draper was in the Franklin County jail, while Nancy Draper was in the Hall County jail Thursday.