Children and pets removed from home after couple is charged with child abuse

TAMPA - A concerned parent called police Monday night after noticing that a 7-year-old who was playing with her children had bruise marks on his face.

Detectives arrived to investigate and said the children's mother arrived about two hours after they did. They say the mother's boyfriend, Sherman Purnell, hit the woman's 3-year-old with a belt and punched the 7-year-old.

The 3-year-old had marks and bruises from his ear to his eye, according to Tampa Police.

Qiana Gunyard, the parent who called police, said, "A mother should never let something like this happen to her children."

She also said the boys told her they had not eaten in days.

"They said the last time they ate was Friday. Chinese food Friday that's it."

The children were placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.

When Sherman Purnell returned home, he and the children's mother, Candace Johnson, were charged with child abuse and child neglect.

Animal Control was also contacted to remove several cats, a dog and a snake found inside the apartment.