COLUMBIA, Tenn.- A Maury County pediatric nurse and her school bus driver husband are speaking out after being acquitted of child abuse charges that lost them their jobs and custody of their young daughter.
In 2010, both Greg and Jennifer Wood were charged with child abuse after suspicious bruising was found on their two year old daughter.
"It was a horrible day. I was actually at work when they arrested me," said Jennifer.
The indictment instantly grabbed headlines because both Jennifer, a pediatric nurse in a clinic on the campus of Maury Regional Medical Center and Greg, a part-time school bus driver in the county, were known in the community.
Jennifer said she was shocked and overwhelmed by the accusations.
"They've painted you as this person, and a lot of people will believe that," she said.
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"The evidence had question marks all over it, and it didn't take a lot of investigation before it was clear the state had made a lot of huge assumptions in bringing these charges," said Whatley.
Whatley pursued the case and just this week, after two years and stacks of paper work, a jury agreed with him and found the couple not guilty.
"It was a lot of emotions, becausewe knew deep down we hadn't done anything, but we were putting our lives in the hands of 12 other people that don't know us at all," said Greg.
Now, innocent and acquitted the family is working to put their lives back together. The jury verdict was the first step in a long process for Jennifer and Greg, both are working to get their jobs back. They also must petition to the juvenile court system to get back full visitation rights with their daughter, who is now four years old.
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