Kayla Wells, 24, was arrested July 27 in Shelby County, Tennessee, after authorities say she missed five follow-up medical appointments for her six-month-old son. Doctors had found multiple unexplained arm fractures and diagnosed an unnamed bone disorder, then provided a treatment plan to prevent further harm. A hospital social worker reported repeated no-shows between May and July, prompting law enforcement involvement. Wells is charged with child abuse and neglect and was booked on a $10,000 bond; the child's current condition and a court date have not been disclosed.
Tennessee Mother Arrested After Missing Five Medical Appointments for Six-Month-Old With Bone Disorder
Shelby County Sheriff's Office; Google Maps/Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
A 24-year-old Tennessee woman was arrested after allegedly failing to bring her six-month-old son to multiple follow-up medical appointments for a diagnosed bone condition. Authorities say the infant was first evaluated in late April after doctors discovered unexplained fractures in his arm.
What Happened: According to a Shelby County Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit, Kayla Wells brought her son to a local children's hospital on April 23 for congestion and a possible arm injury. Hospital staff performed tests that revealed multiple unexplained fractures in the child's arm, injuries medical personnel described as suspected "non-accidental trauma." Additional testing identified an unnamed bone disorder that may have contributed to the injuries.
Google Maps/Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
Medical Follow-Up and Missed Appointments: Clinicians provided Wells with a formal diagnosis and a specific treatment plan meant to protect the infant and reduce the risk of further injury. The affidavit alleges that Wells failed to attend five scheduled follow-up visits between May and July. A hospital social worker reported the repeated no-shows to law enforcement so the child could receive necessary care.
Arrest And Legal Status: Wells was arrested on Sunday, July 27, and booked in Shelby County on charges of child abuse and neglect or endangerment. She was held on a $10,000 bond. The affidavit does not disclose the infant's current medical condition following law enforcement involvement, and officials say Wells has not yet entered a plea or been assigned a public court date.
Notes: The case remains under investigation. Public records released so far focus on the alleged missed appointments and the initial medical findings; no additional medical details about the infant's condition were provided in the affidavit.
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