Kindgo
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http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_n...1329050,00.html
Police call case of abuse one of worst they've seen
By Bryan Mitchell, News-Sentinel staff writer
August 16, 2002
A Knoxville man accused of the abuse death of his 3-month-old son denied he killed the infant.
"I did not murder my baby," a defiant Blake Delaney Tallant said Thursday evening as Knoxville police officers loaded the man into a paddy wagon.
His wife, also charged with murder and aggravated child abuse, quickly interrupted her husband.
"Shut up and get in the car, Blake. You're only making it worse," said Sarah Tallant, whose long dark hair was strewn over her face as officers locked her husband in the caged vehicle.
Citing the number of the child's broken bones, police described the abuse as "brutal" and said it was one of the worst cases they've investigated.
The couple's arrest came less than 24 hours after police responded to a call made by Sarah Tallant that her infant had stopped breathing.
Two officers responded and quickly initiated CPR, but Lex Arson Tallant was later pronounced dead on arrival at East Tennessee Children's Hospital, according to Knoxville Police Chief Phil Keith.
Police say the infant died of pneumonia caused by internal injuries.
Keith said that Lex had been brutally abused over an extensive period of time and had broken ribs and a broken left arm and left leg.
"There is evidence the child was held in a child safety seat for more than 24 hours straight," said Keith, who was visibly shaken while detailing the infant's injuries.
Keith said there is also preliminary evidence that Lex was sexually abused.
"We've seen a lot of gruesome (child abuse cases), but this is one of the worst we've had to work with," he said. "Collectively, it's just so brutal."
When police first responded to the call on Knott Road, they found an assortment of drugs and drug paraphernalia, including more than a gram of crystal meth and the early stages of a meth lab.
Police also seized a marijuana pipe and $1,500 in cash.
Blake Tallant, 30, was arrested on the drug charges and later released on a $3,500 bond.
Police worked throughout Wednesday night and Thursday to gather the evidence to arrest the couple on murder and child-abuse charges.
The couple were then arrested at their home in West Knoxville Thursday evening. Both are being held at the Knox County Detention Center without the possibility of bond.
"We feel fortunate to bring this case to a close," Keith said.
Blake Tallant is originally from Jonesboro, Ark., and Sarah Tallant, 27, is from San Diego. Keith said both had no criminal records prior to Wednesday's incident.
The couple also have a 3-year-old son who is now in the custody of the Department of Children's Services. Police say the elder Tallant boy has no signs of abuse.
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God bless,
Kindgo
Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the will of God there is no success.
Posts: 4320 | From: Sunny Florida | Registered: Jun 2002
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