In Kentucky, three family members face serious allegations of child abuse, described by authorities as deserving of a “special place in hell.” The accused include the parents of two critically injured children and their grandmother.

Yvonne Shanks, aged 49, has been charged with child abuse, domestic violence assault, and endangering a child, according to Jefferson County jail records. Her arrest followed one day after her son, 27-year-old Nicholas Shanks, faced similar charges, along with methamphetamine possession and contraband promotion. The children’s mother, 25-year-old Shelby Kuntz, has also been charged with child abuse, domestic violence assault, and endangerment.

Law enforcement reported that the child arrived at the hospital in cardiac arrest without any prior 911 call, as noted by local NBC affiliate WAVE reported. Medical personnel found the child suffered from a skull fracture, missing teeth, rib fractures, extensive bruising, blood loss-induced anemia, and signs of internal injuries to muscles, the pancreas, and liver, according to local Fox affiliate WDRB.

Upon the 2-year-old’s admission to the hospital, authorities searched the family home, discovering Yvonne Shanks and another infant in distress.

Per WDRB reports, the arrest document for Yvonne Shanks disclosed that a 1-year-old was located on a bed, displaying “obvious signs of trauma.” The child was urgently transported to the hospital, where examinations revealed potential skull and jawbone fractures, liver damage, facial cuts, a missing tooth, and severe anemia due to internal bleeding into the head, abdomen, and soft tissues.

Yvonne Shanks reportedly told police that she had seen several injuries on the child, but did not call 911 or seek medical treatment. Nicholas Shanks and Kuntz reportedly told police that they were the only people who had custody of the children, and that no one else had been around them.

After he was taken to the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, Nicholas Shanks was searched, and several pieces of a “loose translucent crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine” were found, WAVE reported, citing a police report. The defendant reportedly told officers that the substance was rock salt for roads; a K-9, however, apparently indicated that the substance was drugs.

Louisville Metro Police Chief Paul Humphrey called the alleged abuse at the hands of the parents “the lowest of the low,” WDRB reported.

“There’s a special place in hell for people like that,” he said, according to the report.

All three defendants have pleaded not guilty. They have a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 26.