Pocono News Section

Couple Charged With Child Abuse Requests Hearing

Couple Charged With Child Abuse Requests Hearing - Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 5:15PM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Wednesday, Nov 18, 2009 @ 05:15pm EST
HONESDALE, WAYNE COUNTY -- A Wayne County couple, charged with child abuse, made a request today for a preliminary hearing.

Eyewitness News first told you last month about the case against 39-year-old Carla Haviland and her boyfriend, 34-year-old Nathaniel Smith.

The couple is accused of abusing a 12-year-old girl. It allegedly happened at their Sunrise Terrace Trailer Park home in Honesdale from July through October of this year.

Investigators say the pair would often prevent the child from eating or using the bathroom. They also say they had her hold 46-pound weights for hours at a time.

The child is now in protective custody.