Versailles couple charged with abuse after home circumcision

The Morgan County Prosecutor’s Office has charged a Versailles couple with child abuse after they allegedly performed a circumcision on a child under the age of 18.

Tyler and Bailey Gibson each face one count of child abuse; Tyler also faces one count of unauthorized practice of medicine or surgery.

According to the probable cause statement, an employee of the Division of Family Services went to University Hospital in Columbia on Nov. 28 on learning a child there had been circumcised at home. The worker told law enforcement that she’d gotten an emergency hotline call about the procedure, and that it “did not go as planned.”

The worker said the child had been taken to Lake Regional Hospital on Nov. 27, and that early the next morning, Tyler Gibson and the child left the hospital “against medical advice.”

When deputies spoke to Tyler Gibson, he reportedly admitted to having no medical training but said he had “conducted research and prayed a blessing.” Gibson told deputies they went to the hospital due to an unexpectedly high amount of bleeding.

When talking to Bailey Gibson, deputies said she admitted to helping with the procedure, and told them they left Lake Regional because they were tired of waiting. Bailey also told deputies she was “hesitant and unsure” about the procedure, but didn’t elaborate.

Tyler Gibson has a court hearing scheduled for Jan. 21; Bailey Gibson has a hearing scheduled for Jan. 28.