Parents have been charged in Lauderdale County with the abuse of their twin babies.

26-year-old Jessica Reed and 23-year-old Michael Reed, both of Meridian, were arrested earlier this week on the charges. Their children had already been taken from them, and now they're facing jail time.

The twin boys were four months old at the time of the alleged abuse. Now they are just over two years old.

Officials say this case has taken a long time to build, simply because of the age of the children. Authorities say they are finally at a point to move on the case.

The children were removed from the parents as soon as the alleged abuse was detected at a local hospital. Since then the children have been in foster care in a different part of the state. They have had no contact with the parents.

"This case is taking a long time, much longer than any of us want," said Chief Deputy Ward Calhoun.

He said the fact is that these victims were and are unable to give information about what happened to them. So the prosecution relies partially on the testimony of experts in the field. Calhoun said getting that can be time consuming.

Calhoun said the babies' broken bones and fractured skulls led to them being placed in protective custody.

Both suspects have been charged with two counts of child neglect and abuse.

Bond for Jessica Reed was set at $40,000 total, $20,000 for each charge.
Michael Reed's bond was also set at $40,000.