Overview
- Ashley Eldredge, 37, and Robert Eldredge, 38, were arrested in Cocoa, Brevard County, on March 12 on child abuse charges, according to a Cocoa Police Department affidavit.
- The girl told investigators she was forced to ingest homemade hot sauce despite an allergy, saying it happened about 10 times and caused stomach pain and vomiting roughly half the time.
- The affidavit states the child also reported being struck with a belt and a wooden spoon, and Robert Eldredge admitted using a belt as punishment.
- Detectives and medical personnel documented welts and bruises, and police say Ashley Eldredge admitted giving the child hot sauce.
- Jail records list bond at $5,000 for Ashley Eldredge and $50,000 for Robert Eldredge; local reporting says Robert later bonded out and returned to Tennessee, with a court date set for April 7.