Mother Arrested on Child Abuse Charges After Two Incidents in Columbus

On February 14, 2024, at 1:53 p.m., Columbus Police Department patrol officers responded to a report of possible child abuse at Downtown Elementary School. Upon arrival, they found a 4-year-old girl, identified as Sheran Rhodes’ daughter, with a bruise on her cheek. Initial questioning revealed that Rhodes claimed her daughter fell and sustained the injury.

Fast forward to March 4, 2024, at 2:35 p.m., patrol officers were again dispatched, this time to Piedmont Midtown Pediatric Emergency Room regarding another case of suspected child abuse. An 8-month-old boy, Rhodes’ son, was brought in with a fractured right femur and a previously healed fracture to his left femur. Further investigation implicated Sheran Rhodes in causing the recent fracture to the right femur.

In response to these incidents, the Department of Family and Children Services intervened, taking custody of Sheran Rhodes’ children.

On March 12, 2024, Sheran Rhodes was arrested and charged with Cruelty to Children Family Violence in the 1st Degree, along with two counts of Cruelty to Children Family Violence in the 2nd Degree.