Johnston County woman charged with severely abusing 4-year-old boy

JOHNSTON COUNTY, North Carolina (WTVD) -- The Johnston County Sheriff's Department has arrested a Clayton woman Monday after they say a two-month investigation found she severely abused a 4-year-old boy.

On August 1, Elisha Best, 25, was caring for the child, when the young boy was rushed to a Wake County Hospital suffering from several injuries including bleeding from both ears, ruptured eardrums, and marks on his thigh consistent with burns, according to authorities.

Investigators say Best was in a relationship with the boy's father when the incident occurred.

Best was charged with a single felony count of child abuse causing serious injury. She's being held in the Johnston County Jail under a $50,000 bond.