The parents of a 4-year old North Carolina girl have been arrested and charged with felony child abuse after she was found tied to a baby gate and physically abused.

26-year old Gerald Thomas Swineheart and 28-year old Marlaine Coffey had their daughter taken into protective custody after she was discovered bound to the gate with plastic zip ties, of the sort electricians use.

Police have not said whether the abuse was ongoing or if this was the first incident, but Swineheart was charged with pushing and kicking the girl until her teeth cut into her lip. His bond is set at $100,000, while Coffey’s is set at $50,000.

Why did it take until March 31st to get this child OUT of this house and why is the lesser charge on the… fb.me/2fLhZukZF

— nola watson (@lv1nother) May 6, 2013

Breaks my heart!!! Police: Couple zip-tied 4-year-old to baby gate | North Carolina News – WYFF Home wyff4.com/news/north-car… via @wyffnews4

— MommyPowers! (@MommyPowers) May 6, 2013