Grandparents charged in child abuse case

A Bennettsville couple was arrested Sunday after police said they were involved in the physical abuse of their grandchildren, Bennettsville Police Lt. Larry Turner said.

Cleo Morrison, whose age wasn’t available, and Barbara Morrison, 52, of 1202 Hamlet Highway each face two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, Turner said.

Police and state Department of Social Services agents began investigating the incident on May 19 when an elementary school teacher overheard a conversation between the 9-year-old victim and another student.

The teacher told investigators the child said she was being physically abused, Turner said.

The grandparents, who have had custody of the 9-year-old and a 7-year-old sibling since 2005, were arrested because police believed they put both children at unreasonable risk of harm, he said.

Cleo Morrison was arrested as his home Sunday night, while his wife turned herself in to police after she left work for the evening, Turner said.

Marlboro County sheriff’s deputies and State Law Enforcement Divison agents assisted in the investigation.

The children were taken into foster case by DSS.

Both suspects were released from the Marlboro County Detention Center after each posted a $25,000 surety bond.