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Four arrested on child abuse charges accused of using makeup, temporary tattoos to cover bruising

WELLFORD, S.C. — A father and three other adults have been arrested on child abuse charges after a doctor diagnosed a child in the house with “child torture.”

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The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that deputies went to a Wellford home on Sept. 2 to investigate accusations of child abuse. The Department of Social Services had assigned a caseworker to the alleged victim — one of four children who lived in the home — but the caseworker said that whenever she went to the home, the adults hid the victim from her.

When deputies arrived, they said there were four adults in the home — Ian Tatro, the child’s biological father; Tenika Draper, the child’s stepmother; Trina Rae Draper, the child’s step-grandmother; and Ryan Dezotelle, the child’s step-uncle.

Deputies described the oldest child as having “a noticeable limp and temporary tattoos covering multiple bruises on both legs,” in the news release. Deputies said Tenika Draper admitted to putting makeup on the victim’s legs to cover bruising after the DSS caseworker began coming to the home.

The oldest child, identified by deputies as the victim, was taken to a hospital because of concerns about bruising and blood loss, deputies said. A forensic doctor who examined the child told investigators “the victim clearly met the criteria for a medical diagnosis of child torture.”

All four suspects were arrested, and while three bonded out of jail, Tatro has remained behind bars, WHNS reported.

Deputies said a search warrant served at the house revealed more evidence in connection with the case, but did not specify what was found.

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