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COLUMBIA (WACH) - Two Lexington County women are accused of beating a young boy with a switch made from a tree branch.

Heidi Oberg, 26, is charged with unlawful conduct toward a child and Michelle Woodard, 29, is charged with assault and battery,

Deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff's Department say the women repeatedly hit a 5-year-old boy with a switch and that during the beating, parts of wood broke off from it.

According to investigators, the boy had red marks all over his back as well as major bruises and open wounds on his face, arms, legs and upper torso.

Deputies were called to the house after witnesses reported hearing the child crying and being assaulted.