Anderson couple bound over for trial on child abuse charges

An Anderson couple was bound over for trial for child abuse following a preliminary hearing today in McDonald County Circuit Court.

Dickler Joseph (DOB 1986) and his wife, Tokiko Liwis (DOB 2001) were charged after an unconscious 2-year-old girl in their care was flown to Springfield for emergency medical treatment.

According to the probable cause statement, Joseph told investigating Anderson police officers he and his wife had been taking care of the child and her 4-year-old brother since December, when the children's natural mother signed papers granting them custody.

Medical staff at the Springfield hospital said the 2-year-old was "emaciated, malnourished and had multiple fractures in various stages of healing," the probable cause statement said. "She also had injuries leading to a brain bleed requiring surgery of which the prognosis is reported as poor.