PENSACOLA, Fla. — A 15-year-old Alabama girl is recovering in critical condition after authorities say she was the victim of severe abuse at the hands of her parents before being taken across state lines to a Florida hospital.

Eric McClure, 41, and Cynthia Tedder, 36, are accused of torturing and attempting to kill their teenage daughter.

The investigation began after Flomaton, Alabama, police were contacted about the girl after she was admitted to Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in critical condition.

Officers received the call at approximately 5:13 a.m. on Sept. 1, according to the Flomaton Police Department. The condition of the teenager prompted authorities to investigate what had happened before she arrived at the hospital.

Police Launch Investigation Into Alleged Child Abuse

According to police, investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding the girl’s condition and eventually obtained a search warrant for the Alabama home where she lived.

Flomaton Police Chief Justin Hetrick said the department was initially contacted by Pensacola police after the hospital treated the teenager.

“We got a call here at dispatch at the PD from Pensacola PD, basically saying that they had a child juvenile, actually a 15-year-old, that had some child abuse, possible issues going on or neglect, and so we started investigating,” Hetrick told WEAR.

Investigators searched the Alabama residence as they worked to determine what had happened to the teenager. The investigation soon resulted in arrest warrants for both parents.

Parents Face Attempted Murder and Abuse Charges

McClure and Tedder were initially arrested on allegations of torture and willful abuse of a child by a responsible person. Each also faces one count of attempted murder.

Police said the attempted murder charges were added after investigators obtained new evidence during the investigation.

“These charges were filed as a result of developments uncovered during the course of the investigation,” the department said in an updated release.

Authorities have not publicly disclosed additional details about the specific evidence that led to the attempted murder charges. The investigation remains active, and officials have emphasized that protecting the teenage victim’s privacy is a priority.

Other Children Removed From Alabama Home

The investigation also raised concerns about other children who were living at the Alabama residence.

After authorities searched the home, the other children were placed in the care of Alabama’s Department of Human Resources, according to local reports.

A neighbor who said he had known the family for years told that he was shocked by what he saw involving the children and the condition of the home.

“There were roaches just running out,” the neighbor said. “And I seen their kids. They were filthy.”

The neighbor also said he had seen the children while they were out in public and believed they appeared unclean.

His observations are part of the broader concerns surrounding the family’s living conditions, although authorities have not publicly confirmed every allegation made by neighbors.

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Parents Await Extradition to Alabama

McClure and Tedder remain in custody at the Escambia County Jail in Florida while they await extradition to Alabama. They are expected to be transferred to the Escambia County Jail in Alabama, where the case will proceed.

A court date is expected after the couple is extradited. The parents face serious allegations, but the charges remain accusations unless and until they are proven in court.

Investigation Remains Ongoing

Flomaton police have said the investigation is continuing, but officials have declined to release additional information about the teenager’s condition or the alleged abuse.

Authorities said limiting the release of information is necessary to protect the victim’s privacy and preserve the integrity of the investigation.

The case has left questions about what happened inside the Alabama home and how long the teenager may have been suffering before she reached the Florida hospital.

For now, investigators are continuing to gather evidence while the 15-year-old remains at the center of the case.

The arrest of her parents and the removal of the other children have added urgency to the investigation as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the teenager’s injuries.

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