On Wednesday night, around 10:00 p.m., deputies from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Ballard Drive in Vincennes following a report of alleged child abuse. The Lawrenceville Police Department had informed them that a 17-month-old child had been brought to their emergency room with apparent signs of abuse and neglect. The child had been taken to the ER by her biological father after he had picked her up from her biological mother, Samantha Rutledge, at 1974 Ballard Drive in Vincennes. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with Samantha Rutledge and her partner, Juan Garcia, regarding the child’s injuries. Both individuals denied any involvement in the injuries. However, after further investigation, both Samantha Rutledge and Juan Garcia were arrested at the scene. They were then transported to the jail and booked on charges of neglect of a dependent or child abuse and domestic battery on a child less than 14 years of age. Child Protective Services placed the child victim with her biological father while the case remains under investigation.
