DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) -- A Clayhatchee woman is behind bars after a lengthy investigation into an alleged child abuse incident.

Jail records show Tonya Griswold was arrested and charged with torture/willful abuse of a child.

Sheriff Mason Bynum says an investigation into Griswold started in the summer when DHR received a complaint about a child abuse case in Clayhatchee.

DHR then visited Griswold's house on Highway 85 and conducted an interview with a young family member, who had bruises all over their body, according to Sheriff Bynum.

The sheriff tells WDHN that the child had been hit with an unknown object and the injuries were "very excessive in nature."

Griswold was arrested on September 30.

Jail records show Griswold has not bonded out of the Dale County Jail.

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