Couple Fractured Infant Son's Legs, Ribs, Jury Decides

CANTON, GA — A Kennesaw couple has been convicted of causing multiple fractures to their 4-month-old son's ribs and legs, Cherokee County District Attorney Susan Treadaway's office said Tuesday.

A Cherokee jury on Friday returned a guilty verdity after a five-day trial against Derrick Lenard Bessix, 30, and Allison Catherine Keener, 27, prosecutors said.

Most recently living in Kennesaw, prosecutors said Bessix and Keener were living in a Hickory Flat home at the time of the allegations.

Authorities started investigating the couple on Sept. 15, 2020 once a pediatrician noticed signs of suspected child abuse during the infant's checkup, prosecutors said.

The baby boy was then taken to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for evaluation, which uncovered multiple fractures to his ribs and legs, prosecutors said. The most recent were the leg fractures, prosecutors said.

While Bessix was accused of purposely causing the injuries to his child, prosecutors said the jury found the injuries were inflicted with criminal negligence.

Both Bessix and Keener testified during the trial on their behalves, prosecutors said.

Ultimately, the jury found Bessix guilty of second-degree cruelty to children and contributing to the dependency of a minor, prosecutors said.

Keener was convicted of contributing to the dependency of a minor "for failing to provide proper parental care which resulted in the child needing protection from the court," prosecutors said.

Sentencing will be held on Thursday.