Couple charged with child abuse, neglect to 3-year-old

Mom, boyfriend waited 2 days for medical treatment to broken arm

PALM COAST, Fla. – Flagler County deputies arrested a couple Sunday on outstanding warrants of child neglect and abuse.

Joanna Flynn-Carroway, 27, and her boyfriend Douglas Destin, 26, were arrested on a warrant that was issued after Flynn-Carroway's 3-year-old daughter was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a broken arm in September.

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On Sept. 20, deputies were called to Flagler Hospital, where medical personnel reported the child had broken her arm at least two days before being brought in for medical treatment.

According to deputies, their investigation found that on Sept. 18, Flynn-Carroway had grabbed the 3-year-old by the wrist, causing the child to pull back and drop to the floor. The mother said she heard what sounded like "an air bubble going through the bone" at that point.

Deputies say the child fell on the floor several hours later, landing on the same arm.

According to deputies, Flynn-Carroway said she had no transportation to get to the hospital, and Destin didn't think it was a good idea to go to the hospital, so he made a hand-made splint from a piece of wood and bandage.

After taking her child to the pediatrician on Sept. 20, Flynn-Carroway was informed that her child needed to go to the hospital.

Detectives said that in the past, Destin would "punish" the child in several ways, including sitting her by the front door from 10 minutes to an hour, putting her legs behind her head, causing pain to the groin area and pouring cold water on her during an unscheduled nap time.

The 3-year-old, as well as a 6-year-old and a 2-month-old, were removed from the home by the Department of Children and Families and put into protective custody.

Flynn-Carroway and Destin were released from the Flagler County Detention Center after posting $7,500 bond.