PORTALES, NEW MEXICO (AP) -- Portales authorities say a couple is jailed, accused of abusing their 10-year-old daughter.
Portales police arrested Mern and Athena Shepard, both 33-years-old. They are charged with felony abuse of a child.
The Shepards are locked up in the Roosevelt County Detention Center on $5,000 bonds.
Police said they began investigating after a school referral and notification by the Children, Youth and Families Department.
Investigators said they determined the little girl had been mistreated and was malnourished.
Portales police Lt. Todd Moore said the child was functioning and attending school but her physical needs were not being met.
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