Foster Parents Arrested For Abuse

Jessica Taloney

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.