THE DOOR OF AN APARTMENT ON SOUTH 29TH STREET. A MOTHER AND FATHER ARE CHARGED TONIGHT AFTER TWO YOUNG CHILDREN WERE RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. COURT DOCUMENTS SAY ONE CHILD WAS BROUGHT INTO THE HOSPITAL IN FULL CARDIAC ARREST. THE SECOND CHILD WAS FOUND AT HOME WITH SIGNS OF TRAUMA. NICHOLAS SHANKS AND SHELBY KUNTZ WERE ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT, CRIMINAL ABUSE, WANTON ENDANGERMENT AND ENDANGERING THE WELFARE O
Louisville parents arrested after 2 children hospitalized with multiple severe injuries
Updated: 11:19 PM EST Jan 15, 2026
A Louisville couple is facing multiple charges after police say two of their children were hospitalized with severe injuries.LMPD arrested Nicholas Shanks, 27, and Shelby Kuntz, 25, on Thursday in what they called a “significant child abuse case.”Both are charged with first-degree assault (domestic violence), first-degree criminal abuse of a child 12 and under, first-degree wanton endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a minor.An arrest slip says police were notified of a 2-year-old brought to UofL Hospital Southwest in full cardiac arrest on Thursday. Police said the child was taken to the hospital by private means and 911 was not contacted.After being resuscitated, the child was taken to Norton Children’s Hospital. There, doctors said the child had an occipital skull fracture, was missing several teeth, had healing rib fractures and extensive bruising, severe anemia, along with elevated CK, liver enzymes, and lipase, which indicate injuries. Following this, LMPD and Child Protective Services went to the couple’s home to check on other children. They found a 1-year-old child laying on the bed with “obvious signs of trauma” and called EMS.Once that child arrived to Norton Children’s, doctors said they had three possible skull fractures, a possible jawbone fracture, probable blood inside their skull, had lacerations above both eyes, severe anemia, was extremely emaciated, trauma to the nose, elevated liver enzymes, and was missing at least one tooth.After interviewing Shanks and Kuntz, police said the couple told them no one else had been in contact with the children except themselves. While being booked into Metro Corrections, officers found meth on Shanks. He was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance and promoting contraband. Both Shanks and Kuntz are set to be arraigned Friday morning at 9 a.m.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
A Louisville couple is facing multiple charges after police say two of their children were hospitalized with severe injuries.
LMPD arrested Nicholas Shanks, 27, and Shelby Kuntz, 25, on Thursday in what they called a “significant child abuse case.”
Both are charged with first-degree assault (domestic violence), first-degree criminal abuse of a child 12 and under, first-degree wanton endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a minor.
An arrest slip says police were notified of a 2-year-old brought to UofL Hospital Southwest in full cardiac arrest on Thursday. Police said the child was taken to the hospital by private means and 911 was not contacted.
After being resuscitated, the child was taken to Norton Children’s Hospital. There, doctors said the child had an occipital skull fracture, was missing several teeth, had healing rib fractures and extensive bruising, severe anemia, along with elevated CK, liver enzymes, and lipase, which indicate injuries.
Following this, LMPD and Child Protective Services went to the couple’s home to check on other children. They found a 1-year-old child laying on the bed with “obvious signs of trauma” and called EMS.
Once that child arrived to Norton Children’s, doctors said they had three possible skull fractures, a possible jawbone fracture, probable blood inside their skull, had lacerations above both eyes, severe anemia, was extremely emaciated, trauma to the nose, elevated liver enzymes, and was missing at least one tooth.
After interviewing Shanks and Kuntz, police said the couple told them no one else had been in contact with the children except themselves.
While being booked into Metro Corrections, officers found meth on Shanks. He was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance and promoting contraband.
Both Shanks and Kuntz are set to be arraigned Friday morning at 9 a.m.