The Wood County Sheriff’s Office said on Tuesday that a woman who was detained in the county in March on suspicion of abusing children passed away.
The toddler was taken from the care of her mother and her mother’s boyfriend on March 14, 2024, after authorities were alerted to an alleged abuse case involving a 23-month-old girl, according to the WCSO. Adam Woods was identified as the child’s boyfriend, and Tori Huggins as the mother of the child.
Investigators discovered that the toddler had a gastrointestinal blockage as a result of eating candy wrappers and human excrement.
“The 23-month-old’s injuries include several bruises to her face, neck, lower back, hip, abdomen and head; small abrasions to her neck, chin, forehead, buttock, lower leg, right ankle, left shoulder and numerous small abrasions along her spine; peeling of her skin on her buttocks and genital area from a rash; two broken ribs, multiple fractures to five ribs, fractured pelvis, fractured pubic bone, fractured hip bone and a possible fractured nose; a laceration on her liver, left kidney, pancreas and a bowel obstruction,” according to the WCSO.
After receiving a medical clearance, the youngster required a blood transfusion and was placed under the care of youngster Protective Services. A week later, the child’s WCSO reported that she needed surgery because of a blunt-force trauma-related mass that had ruptured in her stomach, necessitating the insertion of a drain tube.
Huggins and Woods were taken into the custody of the Wood County Jail after suffering injuries to a kid.
According to the WCSO, Hggins reported during book-in that she was sad and contemplating suicide. For her protection, she was thus put in a cell and kept under observation.
Huggins was discovered unconscious in her cell on March 21, 2024, at around 5:10 a.m. Correctional staff performed life-saving measures on her until emergency medical personnel could get to her. After being brought to a nearby hospital, she was declared deceased.
Doctors suspect Huggins’ death was connected to his heart, according to the WCSO. Staff members were later informed by family members that Huggins had Long QT Syndrome and was not taking her medication.
Her autopsy confirmed that a cardiac episode was the cause of her death.
Woods’ $1 million bond keeps him incarcerated in the Wood County Jail.