An Alabama couple has been convicted of abusing their foster child, who was hospitalized with a skull fracture and a brain bleed three years ago.

April Elizabeth McDowell and John Michael McDowell face 10 years to life in prison when they are sentenced on aggravated child abuse charges, said Chambers County District Attorney Rick Chancey.

“We were glad to receive this verdict of guilty of aggravated child abuse, as to each defendant. It is unfortunate that people in our society will do such horrible things to the most vulnerable among us,” Chancey told WRBL shortly after the verdict Thursday in Russell County Circuit Court. “And now the people of Russell County have spoken and said that will absolutely not be tolerated.”

The McDowell’s 18-month-old daughter was going in and out of consciousness and an ambulance was needed, April McDowell told a 911 dispatcher on Aug. 22, 2020, authorities said at the time. The child was taken to Piedmont Medical Center and later transported to Children’s of Alabama.

Deputies went to the hospital and determined that the child had injuries that were not consistent with the guardian’s story of what happened to the child. It was determined that the child had a fractured skull and a brain bleed.

Authorities said the McDowells had been the foster parents of the child since May 2020. Investigators believe they will be able to prove that the child received multiple injuries due to abuse on several different occasions while in the custody of the couple.

Initial medical reports indicate that the child has multiple injuries in different stages of healing that are not consistent with normal injuries to a toddler but are consistent with injuries related to abuse.

The girl is no longer with the McDowells, according to Chancey.

“This child is now with a very loving family, and we appreciate their great support and help in this case,” he told WRBL. “It was very emotional for them [the girl’s new family] as well, and everyone is glad that this can be behind us. Our hopes and prayers are with this child as she grows and puts this chapter of her life behind her.”