Abuse case sent to grand jury

Published 11:13 am Thursday, July 6, 2017

A Clark County woman charged with tying her grandchild to a bed decided to forego a court hearing Wednesday afternoon.

Francis “Janie” Purvis, 59, of 2 Linden Lane, was arrested last week for first-degree criminal abuse after the allegations were reported to the Winchester Police Department.

Wednesday, Purvis was in Clark District Court for a preliminary hearing, which would determine probable cause for the charge. Instead, she and her attorney decided to waive the case directly to the Clark County grand jury.

Email newsletter signup

Purvis was arrested June 27 following an interview with police, according to court records. Witnesses told police the 2-year-old child was tied to its bed on three separate occasions, including times where the child could not move at all. The witnesses recovered an electrical cord and nylon rope from the trash, which were reportedly used to bind the child.

According to the citation, Purvis admitted tying the child in bed, but said it was so the child wouldn’t get hurt.

First-degree criminal abuse is defined in state statute as, in part, “causes torture, cruel confinement or cruel punishment to a person 12 years of age or less…”

Purvis remains in the Clark County Detention Center on a $50,000 cash bond. Upon conviction, the charge carries a sentence of five to 10 years in prison.

Purvis said nothing during her court appearance Wednesday.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

email author More by Fred