Felony child abuse charges have been filed against a North Platte couple following a month-long investigation.

On Sunday, May 29, an officer with the North Platte Police Department responded to Great Plains Health on the report of possible child abuse.

Hospital staff reported that a minor child was found to have a laceration on the top of her head and bruises on her face and buttocks.

The officer then met with the child’s mother, 28-year-old Sharon Smith, regarding the allegations made by hospital staff.

According to officer Jeremiah Johnson, as the officer continued his investigation, Smith grabbed the child, ran out the door and left in a vehicle.  Johnson says GPH security attempted to stop her but was unsuccessful.

Officers made a traffic stop on the vehicle near the intersection of West Hahn Avenue and South Ash Street.

The child was placed in emergency protective custody and returned to the hospital for treatment.  Officers then went to the Smith residence and removed another minor child from the home Smith shared with her husband Thomas.

On June 30, Johnson says NPPD completed its investigation and placed Thomas and Sharon under arrest.

They were jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center on a charge of felony child abuse.