South Carolina

Preacher charged with assaulting wife after she kidnaps baby

David English and Jennifer Bunting English

CLINTON, S.C. — A South Carolina preacher and his wife have been jailed on separate charges related to an investigation that was triggered by the kidnapping of a 2-month-old baby.

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Citing a Laurens County sheriff's release, news outlets report 31-year-old Jennifer Bunting English was arrested Sept. 21 after the mother of the infant she was babysitting reported her child hadn't been returned and the babysitter stopped communicating.

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Deputies found her smoking marijuana around the child. She is charged with kidnapping and unlawful conduct toward a child.

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During the investigation, deputies found her husband, 33-year-old David English, helped her obtain illegal drugs and assaulted her earlier that week, causing significant injuries. He was booked Monday on charges of second-degree domestic violence and unlawful conduct toward a child.

It's unclear whether the couple has lawyers.

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