KY - Louisville Grandmother & Parents charged W severe Abuse of two toddler, missing teeth, malnourishment, rib and skull fractures 17 January 2026

[tlcya]

The child had been privately transported to the hospital and 911 was not called, according to police. The child was resuscitated and transferred to Norton Children’s Hospital downtown.

Police say the child suffered multiple injuries including rib and skull fractures, missing teeth, extensive bruising, severe anemia, internal injuries and signs of malnourishment.

SVU detectives along with CPS went to the home in the 5500 block of Goldenrod Road in Valley Station to check on the other children and found a 1-year-old victim laying on the bed with “obvious signs of trauma” and called EMS.
Grandmother charged as two Louisville toddlers suffer severe abuse, parents also arrested

n exam revealed the children suffered skull fractures, missing teeth, severe anemia from loss of blood, along with several other injuries.

27-year-old Nicholas Shanks and 25-year-old Shelby Kuntz are both being held on half a million-dollar bonds.
[snip]
A further examination showed the child had a skull fracture, several missing teeth, healing rib fractures, extensive bruising and severe anemia from loss of blood.

The child was also extremely underweight, showed signs of muscle, liver, and pancreas damage. This discovery prompted detectives with special victims unit (SVU) and Child Protective Services (CPS) to check on other children at the home.
Two parents arrested, held on half a million dollar bond for child abuse allegations

The hospital reported the [2 yr old] child had:

• An occipital skull fracture
• Several missing teeth
• Two posterior rib fractures that were at least two weeks old
• Extensive bruising
• Severe anemia from loss of blood
• Elevated CK, indicating muscle damage
• Elevated liver enzymes, indicating liver injury
• Elevated lipase, indicating a possible pancreas injury
• Was extremely underweight/emaciated

[snip]
the 1-year-old child had:

• Three possible skull fractures
• Possible jawbone fracture
• Blood inside the skull
• Was extremely underweight/emaciated
• Elevated liver enzymes, indicating liver injury
• Severe anemia from loss of blood into the head/belly and soft tissue
• Lacerations above both eyes
• Unclear trauma to the mouth, with at least one tooth missing
• Trauma to the nose

https://www.wdrb.com/news/crime-reports/grandmother-charged-in-significant-louisville-child-abuse-case-after-2-children-
hospitalized/article_975ff66f-09e5-48c5-9bdd-04619043df5b.html

Granma is charged because she saw the children, saw their injuries and did nothing. Dad had meth in his pocket when taken into custody. All are due in court January 26th in Jefferson County KY

SHANKS, NICHOLAS A (D)
• JEFFERSON : 26-F-000407
COMMONWEALTH VS. SHANKS, NICHOLAS A
Next PRELIMINARY HEARING is scheduled for 01/26/2026 at 09:00 AM in room HJ304

KUNTZ, SHELBY (D)
• JEFFERSON : 26-F-000409
COMMONWEALTH VS. KUNTZ, SHELBY
Next PRELIMINARY HEARING is scheduled for 01/26/2026 at 09:00 AM in room HJ304

SHANKS, YVONNE (D)
• JEFFERSON : 26-F-000440
COMMONWEALTH VS. SHANKS, YVONNE
Next PRELIMINARY HEARING is scheduled for 01/26/2026 at 09:00 AM in room HJ304
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[tlcya]

Nick Shanks FB

Shelby Kuntz FB

 

[TMich6811]

Nick Shanks FB

Shelby Kuntz FB

Nothing grossly standing out to me with the kids photos though there aren’t many to see

I wonder where the girl is

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Dad had meth in his pocket when taken into custody.

No kidding.
What a household of evil. I hope the children recover fully and are never near any of these people again. I wish them much support and new loving homes.

 

[Serononin]

Those poor babies. Thank goodness CPS got to them before it was too late, I dread to think what would have happened otherwise