Cops in Texas detained two women for reportedly beating three children with a dog leash studded with spikes and belts after the boys failed to perform their tasks.
Several counts of child injury—a felony—charge Haley Blevins, 19, and Jacalyn Cook, 30. According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, the mother of the boys, ages 12, 7, and 4, called Texarkana police on October 15 to report the alleged abuse that had occurred a few days before.
The 30-year-old mother explained that she and her three children moved in with Cook after becoming homeless. Cook eventually permitted Blevins to move in as well. The mother reportedly expressed concerns about Blevins since she has a history of mental health issues. On October 11, upon her return from work, her oldest son informed her that he and his brothers had suffered abuse. He stated that after the three of them returned home from school, Blevins assigned them tasks to complete. The affidavit stated that the chores included scrubbing dishes, moving a couch from one room to another, and transporting a mattress outside.
Police claim that Blevins started beating the boys because they hadn’t completed the tasks “to her satisfaction.” The elder son estimated that Blevins and Cook had hit him over 20 times. Police discovered bruising and welts on all three boys’ buttocks and legs. Detectives thought the injuries appeared to be “excessive in terms of discipline.”
Investigators transported the boys to the Children’s Advocacy Center for interviews. The 7-year-old alleged that Cook had “whooped” him with a “spiky switch” from a tree, while Blevins had struck him with a belt. The 4-year-old said detective Cook assaulted him with a “leash with spikes,” according to the complaint. When asked why he was at the advocacy center, the oldest boy answered, “I got abused on Friday,” according to the affidavit.
He claimed that after receiving instructions to do the dishes, he ran out of soap and stopped. After he lay down on his bed, Blevins allegedly entered the room and began beating him with a “thick belt.” Blevins then instructed him to move a couch to a different room, a task he found challenging due to its weight. The affidavit stated that whenever he dropped it, Blevins reportedly beat him with the belt. Police reported that Blevins forced him and his brothers to stand against a wall and continued to whip them with the belt.
They arrested Blevins and Cook and took them to Bowie County Jail.