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Two women in Texas are facing felony charges after allegedly assaulting three children with a spiked dog leash and belts for not completing their chores. Haley Blevins, 19, and Jacalyn Cook, 30, were arrested and charged with multiple counts of injury to a child, according to Texarkana police.
Incident Details
The boys’ mother, 30, called the police on Oct. 15 to report the alleged abuse, which she said occurred days earlier. She told authorities that she and her three sons, aged 12, 7, and 4, had moved in with Cook after becoming homeless. Shortly after, Blevins moved in as well, despite the mother’s concerns due to Blevins’ history of mental health issues.
According to the affidavit, the abuse began on Oct. 11 when the boys returned from school and were given chores by Blevins. The tasks included washing dishes, taking a mattress outside, and moving a couch. When the chores were not completed to Blevins’ satisfaction, she allegedly began beating the boys.
The eldest son told his mother about the abuse when she returned home from work. He estimated that Blevins and Cook struck him more than 20 times. Police observed bruises and welts on all three boys’ buttocks and legs, describing the injuries as “excessive in terms of discipline.”
Children's Testimonies
During interviews at the Children’s Advocacy Center, the boys provided disturbing details about the alleged abuse:
The 7-year-old said Cook hit him with a “spiky switch” from a tree while Blevins struck him with a belt.
The 4-year-old told investigators that Cook used a “leash with spikes” to hit him.
The 12-year-old stated that Blevins beat him with a “thick belt” after he ran out of soap while doing the dishes. He also reported being whipped while moving a heavy couch and forced to stand against a wall as Blevins continued to strike him.
When asked why he was at the advocacy center, the oldest boy simply replied, “I got abused on Friday.”
Arrests
Blevins and Cook were arrested and taken to the Bowie County Jail. They are facing multiple charges of injury to a child, highlighting the severity of the alleged abuse.
This case underscores the importance of providing safe environments for children and holding abusers accountable. Authorities continue to investigate.
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