Floyd County Couple Jailed On Child Abuse Charges

(PRESTONSBURG, Ky., December 17th, 2002, 11:25 a.m.) -- The custodians of a boy who was allegedly beaten with a horsewhip and shocked with a cattle prod remained in the Floyd County jail on Tuesday in lieu of $100,000 bond.

Ansel Hall, 28, and his wife, Georgia Hall, 31, of Mud Creek, were indicted Wednesday on charges of criminally abusing the 12-year-old boy who was placed temporarily in their custody. They pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Thursday.

Ansel Hall faces 14 counts of first-degree criminal abuse. Georgia Hall was indicted on 16 counts.

The indictments allege that the Halls abused the child with various devices, including the cattle prod, horse whip, a broomstick and a wooden paddle. The indictment claims that the Halls also struck the child in the head with a shotgun and pointed the loaded shotgun at him.

The Halls' next court appearance was scheduled for May 7.