Woman charged with child abuse in Gadsden

A 24-year-old Gadsden woman is charged with child abuse of two young relatives who were in her care.

Gadsden police have charged Samantha Leigh West on two felony warrants of child abuse against an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old child. Police say West was the legal guardian of both children and is their cousin.

A school nurse at Walnut Park Elementary School called DHR on Jan. 30 requesting that a worker investigate injuries on the two children.

"The DHR worker found what appeared to be belt marks - the metal tip end - on the backs, arms and legs of both children," Captain Bobby Jackson with GPD said.

West was arrested on Saturday, Feb. 23. She is being held in the Etowah County Jail on a $2,500 bond.

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