Watch CBS News

Mom Of Battered Autistic Boy Arrested; Abuse Charges Pending

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- The Washington County Sheriff's Office says the mother of a badly beaten autistic boy has been arrested on a fugitive warrant in Pennsylvania and will be charged with child abuse upon her return to Maryland.

The Herald-Mail reports Tuesday that 25-year-old Ashley Barnhart of Hancock was arrested Saturday in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Barnhart hasn't been charged yet in Maryland and has no defense attorney.

Her boyfriend, 21-year-old Aaron Vanmeter, was charged July 3 with first-degree child abuse and other offenses in connection with injuries suffered by 9-year-old Dustin Barnhart. The boy was treated for severe head injuries and bruises after emergency responders were called to the family's home and found him unconscious.

AAron Vanmeter

Vanmeter's attorney has denied that his client caused the boy's injuries.

(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.