Tulsa couple arrested and charged with child abuse

Tulsa police have arrested a couple who they say molested a 3-year-old and lied about how he was injured.

According to police, Ryllie Gage told investigators he became angry with the child because he wouldn’t stop crying. So he grabbed the child by the neck, hit him on the head at least ten times and then beat him.

Police said Gage then told Christina Richerson that the bruises were from a fall on the playground. They say Richerson took him to daycare and the daycare called DHS because the toddler had bruises all over his face, neck and butt.

Police said Richerson initially told them no one else helped her care for the 3-year-old and claimed she saw the child fall on the playground.

Officials said text messages between her and Gage showed they coordinated lies about what happened.

Police arrested Gage for child abuse and Richerson for enabling abuse.