DAVENPORT, Fla. -- A Davenport couple has been arrested in the death of the woman's 2-year-old son, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

  • Couple arrested in death of 2-year-old boy
  • Shannon Short and Christian Thompson charged
  • Sheriff's Office said child was abused, tormented
  • For the full news release, click here
  • *Warning: Details in full press release may be disturbing to some*

Shannon Short, 26, and her boyfriend, Christian Thompson, 26, are accused of abusing and neglecting Short's toddler son, Harley Hiatt, Jr.

The Medical Examiner's Office ruled that Harley died from blunt force trauma. The child died Tuesday after deputies say he suffered months of abuse.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the abuse occured while Harley was in the care of Thompson.

Investigators say the first incident of abuse occurred in May, sometime after the couple moved in together. Short sent a text to Thompson, telling him to "mess" Harley up after the child broke a plate.

Judd said during a news conference that Thompson started to record the injuries and would send images via text message to Short.

One video that the Sheriff's Office obtained shows Harley "trembling" with fear, Judd said.

Other photos show Harley with bruises and scratches on his face and patches of hair missing from his head.

Judd described times when Harley would cling to his mother as she got ready for work because he was frightened of Thompson.

Judd said Short neglected to care for her child's injuries by seeking medical attention, for fear of being reported to child protection officers.

According to an affidavit, the child on Monday had been vomiting uncontrollably, and Short didn't call 911 until Harley became unresponsive the next day.

The child was transported to Heart of Florida Hospital, where it was determined he had a brain bleed. He died a few hours later. 

According to the affidavit, Harley had other injuries, including a mutilated penis.

Short has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, negligent child abuse with great bodily harm, child abuse, failure to report child abuse, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

Thompson faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter of a child, aggravated child abuse, negligent child abuse, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. 

According to the Sheriff's Office, both Short and Thompson have a criminal history and both have other children who live with family members. 

The child would have turned 3 years old in October, officials said. 

"When you hear what this precious baby boy was put through, it's sickening. His mother knew about the abuse, allowed it, and continued to leave him in the care of his abuser. She and her boyfriend even joked about it. The whole thing is heartbreaking, and I don't think it's possible for me to be more disgusted by their actions," Judd said. 

Harley Hiatt Jr., 2, died Tuesday after suffering months of abuse by his mother's boyfriend, Polk County investigators say. He would have turned 3 in October. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)
Harley Hiatt Jr., 2, died Tuesday after suffering months of abuse by his mother's boyfriend, Polk County investigators say. He would have turned 3 in October. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)
Harley Hiatt Jr., 2, died Tuesday after suffering months of abuse by his mother's boyfriend, Polk County investigators say. He would have turned 3 in October. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)
Harley Hiatt Jr., 2, died Tuesday after suffering months of abuse by his mother's boyfriend, Polk County investigators say. He would have turned 3 in October. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)
Harley Hiatt Jr., 2, died Tuesday after suffering months of abuse by his mother's boyfriend, Polk County investigators say. He would have turned 3 in October. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)
Harley Hiatt Jr., 2, died Tuesday after suffering months of abuse by his mother's boyfriend, Polk County investigators say. He would have turned 3 in October. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)