Hardin County couple arrested; accused of seriously injuring 5-year-old

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (WAVE) - A Hardin County couple is facing abuse charges after a 5-year-old was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Kentucky State Police said they were contacted on Sunday around 4:30 p.m. regarding a malnourished child that was brought into Baptist Health Hardin with suspicious injuries.

The child was airlifted to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville after going into cardiac arrest multiple times, an arrest slip said. Doctors said the child is in critical condition, with injuries they were highly concerned could be from physical child abuse.

Police arrested the child’s father and his girlfriend, both of Rineyville.

Clovis Smith, 25, and Satrina Layne, 23, were charged with criminal abuse of a victim under 12.

They were taken to and are currently being held in Hardin Detention Center.

This is an ongoing investigation.