2 Bloomington women arrested following child abuse

Two Bloomington women were arrested Tuesday evening for their alleged involvement in abusing a 2-year-old girl on multiple occasions.

The child was taken to IU Health Bloomington Hospital before being transported to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, said Bloomington Police Department Detective Sgt. John Kovach.

The child’s mother, Tameria Kline, 23, was booked into the Monroe County Jail at about 3:16 a.m. Wednesday and remains in jail with a $2,000 surety or $500 cash bond. She faces a preliminary charge of neglecting a dependent, a Class D
felony.

Kline’s domestic partner and child abuse suspect Dominique Irby, 20, was booked into the Monroe County Jail at about 2:58 a.m. Wednesday and remains in jail with a $4,000 surety or $500 cash bond. Irby faces a preliminary charge of battery, a Class D felony.

At about 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Kovach said officers were dispatched to Kline and Irby’s home on the 2300 block of South Henderson Street after receiving a report of child abuse.

When officers interviewed Irby, Kovach said Irby admitted to disciplining the child several times in the past. On one occasion, she admitted to spanking the child with a belt, leaving welts.

Irby also told police the victim would pull out her own hair. In order to prevent her from ripping out her hair, Irby told authorities she used a T-shirt to tie the baby’s arms and legs together.

Irby also admitted to locking the child inside their bathroom with the lights off as a form of punishment, Kovach said.

Kline, the baby’s mother, told police she was present and consented to the alleged abuse of the child.

Detectives from the BPD and Child Protective Services are still investigating the case.