Officials with the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday a husband and wife have been arrested for child abuse involving their twin boys.

Ward Calhoun, chief deputy for the LCSD, said Michael Lee Reed, 23, and Jessica M. Reed, 26, both of 515 12th Ave., in Meridian, have each been charged with two counts of child abuse/neglect. The couple have been placed on $40,000 bond each and are still being held in the Lauderdale County jail.

Calhoun said the case has been ongoing for quite some time and was instigated by a probe from authorities with the Department of Human Services. He said the now 2-year-old boys are currently in foster homes outside of the Meridian area.

Calhoun said the arrests of the Reed couple were based on evidence collected by officials with DHS and medical records. He said the abuse included severe physical treatment of the twins that resulted in broken bones and a skull fracture.

“Due to the extent of the injuries authorities at DHS thought it best if we assist in this investigation,” said Calhoun. “We reviewed the evidence collected and the arrests were made based on that and further information provided by authorities at DHS.”

Calhoun said he didn’t have any recent information as to the medical condition of the two boys only that they were being cared for.