Parents in court Thursday facing charges of felony child abuse

CHARLOTTE — Two parents appeared in court on Thursday afternoon. Nanette and Taylor McDaniels are accused of felony child abuse. Police say last week they took their four-month-old baby to the hospital.

The McDaniels said her injuries were accidental, and happened when she struck her head on the table. Doctors determined it was no accident. They called police, who questioned Taylor McDaniels. He and his daughter were alone earlier that day at their Mt. Holly home.

Police believe he shook his baby while his wife was at work, causing her injuries.

"The child was crying. He may not have been able to deal with it at that time," said Sgt. Steve Dover with the Gaston County Police Department.

Police say Nanette Taylor knew about the abuse and did not report it, but Thursday her mother defended her in court.

"I know that she would never hurt her child," Nanette Taylor's mother testified.

The child is in the Department of Social Services' custody. Family members say the hope Nanette Taylor can regain custody of her child someday.

WSOC