Harrah Citizen’s Call To Police Uncovered Abuse And Neglect Of 8-Year-Old Boy

A concerned Harrah citizen helped rescue an eight-year-old boy from abuse and deplorable living conditions. The neighbor called police after finding the child covered in dark bruises and bed bug bites. The boy's father and stepmother were arrested. The couple has been in jail for two weeks, each with a $50,000 bond. Prosecutors filed child abuse and neglect charges on Joseph Wiles, 43, and Mekyla Beard, 30, this week.

The alleged child abuse and neglect went undetected until two weeks ago.

“This case we were fortunate enough,” said Chief Marty Burns, Harrah Police Department. “There was a neighbor that cared enough to make a phone call.”

That phone call led investigators to a small mobile home park a block from the Harrah Police Department. Officer’s body camera video showed inside the home where Beard and Wiles lived with three children.

“While the investigators was on scene she was keeping me updated and sending me photos,” said Burns. “And I was completely appalled at the photographs I saw.”

Police found Wiles' eight-year-old son covered in large bruises.

“The darkest black and blue I’ve ever seen,” said Burns.

Also, bed bug bites from filthy living conditions.

“He was covered from head to toe,” said Burns.

According to an affidavit, Beard admitted to using a wooden paddle and metal spatula from the kitchen and occasionally a belt to beat the boy. Beard claimed child protective services told her she could use the paddle "as long as it's on the bottom or anywhere else, it's okay."

The Harrah police chief said the punishment went beyond spanking.

“Whatever punishment she chose for the child it was aggressive, it was angry and way above a typical punishment would go for any child,” said Burns.

Wiles allegedly did nothing to stop the beatings.

“Was just allowing it to happen,” said Burns.

The police investigation led to DHS removing the children from the home and criminal charges against their caretakers.

Police say Beards' two children did not appear to be abused but have special needs and needed medical attention.

Beard was charged with one count of child abuse and neglect. Wiles was charged with one count of enabling child abuse and neglect.