Mississippi parents charged with Child Abuse

Jackson, MS  –  Four people have been arrested and charged with child abuse after an eight-month old baby had a seizure from meth exposure in Clay County.

Mark McNutt, Jr., 25 and Courtney Witinole, 22, were each charged with one count of child deprivation of necessities with substantial harm.

Samantha McNutt, 24 and Justin Klutts, 36,

the boy’s parents, were each charged with one count of child abuse.

Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said the child started having seizures at home and Samantha McNutt took the infant to the hospital.

The child was airlifted to Jackson where tests concluded he had meth in his system.

Scott said investigators were still trying to determine if the boy had meth in his system from exposure or consumption.  However, a preliminary investigation led them to believe the infant was exposed to meth.

A meth lab was not found in the home and the parents did not have meth in their possession at the time of their arrest.

“If they’re going to be crazy enough to put this stuff in their system that’s one thing but an innocent child…  we’re pretty upset about it,” Scott said.  “You can rest assured this is going to be my focus from here on out.”

Samantha McNutt and Klutts each received a $50,000 bond.  Mark McNutt each received a bond of $10,000.  Witinole received a bond of $5,000.