An Indiana couple faces serious charges after a 911 call led emergency services to discover a 7-year-old girl unresponsive in their home. The stepmother has been accused of battery, while both she and the father are charged with neglect. The young girl was rushed to the hospital, where medical staff observed extensive bruising across her body.
Jennifer Revis, 33, reportedly informed law enforcement that her stepdaughter experienced a seizure following a dispute. According to Revis, the girl had an altercation with her brother, who then grabbed her, and subsequently, the family dog bit her, triggering the seizure, as reported by WPTA.
Medical professionals at Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital expressed grave concerns about the girl’s condition, noting that her chances of survival were slim after surgery aimed at alleviating brain pressure.
Upon examination, doctors identified numerous bruises and abrasions on the child’s legs, back, hands, and face. They concluded these injuries were deliberate, rather than accidental, as highlighted by WXIN.
The police reported that the child sustained “significant brain damage.” Initially, Revis claimed the girl had “thrown herself on the floor” and subsequently experienced a seizure, according to an affidavit. However, she later confessed to mistreating the child.
Revis initially told investigators that the girl “threw herself on the floor” and “started having … a seizure,” an affidavit says. But she also admitted abusing the child.
“I did beat the s*** out of her two days ago,” she reportedly said, claiming the girl is “awful to deal with.”
She also detailed incidents of “physical discipline,” which included a time she said she forcefully shoved the child through the doorway, causing her face to strike a wall. She also also said she punched the girl in the face with her fist.
“During the interview, Jennifer repeatedly expressed frustration with (the child) and admitted full responsibility for the physical assaults, stating, ‘I should have more self-control, I’m an adult,’ and ‘I know I went too far’,” the documents said.
The child’s father, 28-year-old Ryan Revis, told investigators he saw the injuries and chose not to intervene.
“Ryan admitted he overlooked signs of escalating abuse due to fear of confrontation and fear of losing (his other kids),” court documents say.
Ryan Revis also told investigators he had smacked the child himself on occasion.
Jennifer Revis reportedly said the abuse was rage-induced, WPTA said, brought on by the girl’s alleged disrespect. But court documents say she was “vague” about what she considered disrespectful.
“I see rage, bro,” Jennifer Revis told police, “when she talks to me like that, I just see rage, and I don’t know.”
The girl’s current condition is unknown.
Jennifer Revis has been charged with two counts of neglecting a dependent, one count of aggravated battery, and two counts of domestic battery. Ryan Revis is charged with one count of neglect resulting in catastrophic injury. It’s not clear why he wasn’t charged with battery since he admitted hitting the girl in police interviews.
