Baby Girl Found Covered in Blood After Rat Starts 'Eating' Child in Her Crib: Police

• A South Carolina couple, Akayla and Justin Bearden, were arrested after their 6-month-old baby was found with severe rat bites
• Authorities allege the couple admitted to knowing about a rat problem in their home
• The parents face charges of unlawful conduct toward a child

Authorities have arrested a South Carolina couple after their baby was found with severe rat bites. 

Akayla Bearden and Justin Bearden were arrested by deputies on two charges of unlawful conduct toward a child after authorities say “a large rat starting eating” their 6-month-old baby, according to a statement from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. 

Deputies responded to a 911 call after Akayla found blood covering her daughter’s bassinet and body and bite marks on the baby’s arms, head, ears and face, per the statement. 

The baby was immediately transported to a local hospital. Deputies found another child, a twin of the 6-month-old, with bite marks on his feet, the statement said. Akayla and Justin allegedly admitted to deputies that they knew rats were an ongoing issue inside their home for the last several months, the statement alleges. 

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All three of their children are in the custody of the department of social services, according to the sheriff’s office. The 6-month-old girl will remain in the hospital for several days as the case is under investigation. 

Akayla and Justin were granted bond on May 13, according to FOX Carolina, and banned from having contact with their kids. They are set to go back before a judge on July 31. 

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.