Cops in Texas arrested two women for allegedly beating three children with a dog leash studded with spikes and belts after the boys failed to complete their chores.
Haley Blevins, 19, and Jacalyn Cook, 30, are charged with multiple counts of child injury, a felony.
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 earlier.
The 30-year-old mother explained that she and her three children moved in with Cook after becoming homeless. Cook eventually allowed Blevins to move in as well. The mother reportedly expressed concerns about Blevins because she has a history of mental health issues.
She stated that when she returned home from work on October 11, her oldest son informed her that he and his brothers had been beaten.
He stated that after the three of them returned home from school, Blevins assigned them chores to complete. The affidavit stated that the chores included doing dishes, moving a couch from one room to another, and taking a mattress outside.
Blevins allegedly began beating the boys because the chores had not been completed “to her satisfaction,” according to police.
The eldest son estimated that Blevins and Cook had hit him over 20 times. Police discovered bruises and welts on all three boys’ buttocks and legs. Detectives thought the injuries appeared to be “excessive in terms of discipline.”
Investigators took the boys to the Children’s Advocacy Center for interviews. The 7-year-old claimed Cook “whooped” him with a “spiky switch” from a tree and Blevins hit him with a belt.
The 4-year-old told cops Cook hit him with a “leash with spikes,” according to the affidavit. When asked why he was at the advocacy center, the oldest boy replied, “I got abused on Friday,” according to the affidavit.
He claimed he was told to do the dishes but ran out of soap and stopped. After he lay down on his bed, Blevins allegedly entered the room and began striking him with a “thick belt.” Blevins then ordered him to move a couch to another room, but it was heavy and difficult for him to transport.
The affidavit stated that whenever he dropped it, Blevins allegedly hit him with the belt. Then he and his brothers were forced to stand against a wall, and Blevins continued to whip them with the belt, according to police.
Blevins and Cook were arrested and taken to Bowie County Jail.
