Foster Parents Arrested For Abuse

Alabama Child Abuse DHR is taking a close look at Conecuh County's foster care program after a 2 year old boy suffered a permanent brain injury.

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Wed, May 27, 2009 - 4:18 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, May 27, 2009 - 4:47 pm CST

A Conecuh County couple is behind bars after investigators say they severely beat a 2 year old boy in their care.

Joyce Sims, 41 and her husband, Lonnell Sims, 51, were arrested last week and charged with attempted murder and aggravated child abuse.

The District Attorney's office tells News Five earlier this month police responded to the couple's Evergreen home where they found the child barely breathing.

The young boy suffered permanent brain damage as a result of blunt force trauma, according to District Attorney Tommy Chapman. A doctor treating the child told investigators the boy also had bruising on his body.

Joyce and Lonnell Sims are foster parents, who previously had as many as eight foster children living in their mobile home. At the time of their arrest, there were four children in their care.

Barry Spears, a spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Human Resources, confirmed the state agency is investigating the Conecuh County foster care program.

Spears says as a rule, only six foster children are allowed to live in one home, but he says exceptions can be made. DHR officials would not comment specifically on this case.

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minimay87 Says:

Sun, Jun 07, 2009 at 3:46 pm

People like this make me sick. I mean the only reason these people were taking these children in was to get that check. There are so many people out there that can not have children and would love to have that precious child in their care. I mean really what can a 2 year old to to deserve getting beaten to the point of practically death. Now because of these 2 low life forms this child will be affected by it for the rest of it’s life.