2 parents accused of abusing 5-year-old child in West Hollywood

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- Two parents are in custody for the alleged abuse of their 5-year-old child in West Hollywood.

A neighbor reportedly called 911 after she came to them asking for food.

At the center of an arraignment in an L.A. County courthouse on Tuesday was a child abuse investigation that began in West Hollywood last week. According to prosecutors, a 5-year-old child knocked on a neighbor's door, who then called police.

"Knocked on the door, had lacerations on her and scabbing all on her neck, and asked for food," a prosecutor said in court.

The child's parents are accused of child abuse. Prosecutors say police searched the home and, through their investigation, believe the 5-year-old would be locked in a room to sleep on a wooden bed spring as discipline.

The child was transported to a hospital, where she is still receiving care.

"They believe she has a broken pelvis. She had large bruises all over her body. She had lacerations on her neck that were bruising and also seem to have been infected," the prosecutor said.

Cody Jefferies, 33, was identified as the child's father. He entered a not guilty plea.

Prosecutors say that, although he and the child's mother pointed the finger at one another, Jefferis allegedly admitted to hitting the child.

His attorney argued she did not have that information, and petitioned that he be released on his own recognizance.

"I don't see that in here. All I see is that the victim attributed all of the injuries to her mother, and that they were all caused by her mother, and she said that her father never, did not cause any of the injuries," his attorney said in court.

The judge denied that request, stressing that based on the evidence, including the child's injuries, Jeffries poses a danger to the public.

According to prosecutors, the child had lived with the parents for the last three months.

"There's no way that Mr. Jeffries couldn't see or know that all these injuries are occurring there. He's the natural father. He has an obligation to ensure that she's taken care of properly, taken to medical care if necessary," the judge said.

The child's mother, 30-year-old April Joy Cordova, is due in court on Wednesday.