The Levy County Sheriff’s Office
responded to a child abuse complaint on April 22, 2014. The subsequent
investigation led to the identification of registered sex offender, Reggie
Kearney, as the suspect. Bobbie Jo
Gibbs, the child’s mother, was also identified as a suspect.
Kearney and Gibbs co-habited at a home
located in Chiefland. Kearney
was a registered sex offender who was supposed to be residing in Gainesville. The child, a
6 year old boy, was with his biological father who discovered severe bruising
on the child’s legs. The father reported his findings to law enforcement. The
investigation revealed Kearney
spanked the child with a belt for disobeying him and playing a video game. The
child had injuries more severe and inconsistent with normal discipline.
Investigators arrested Kearney and charged him
with one count of felony child abuse and failure to register an address as a
convicted sex offender. Gibbs, who had witnessed the abuse and did not
intervene, was charged with one count of child neglect. Kearney is being held at the Levy County
Detention Facility on a $150,000 bond and Gibbs is being held on a $50,000
bond.
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