Two women in Texarkana, Texas, are facing felony charges of child injury after allegedly assaulting three young boys with a spiked dog leash and belts for not completing chores to their satisfaction. Haley Blevins, 19, and Jacalyn Cook, 30, were arrested following the allegations made by the boys’ mother, who reported the abuse to authorities on October 15, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The mother, who recently moved in with Cook after becoming homeless, said she had concerns about Blevins’ mental health when Cook invited her to stay with them. On October 11, after returning from work, the mother learned from her 12-year-old son that he and his younger brothers, aged seven and four, were severely beaten for not completing chores like washing dishes and moving furniture, told Law and Crime.
Blevins reportedly initiated the punishment, claiming the boys’ chores were not done “to her satisfaction.” The oldest boy told police that both Blevins and Cook hit him and his siblings over 20 times. Officers observed bruises and welts on the boys’ legs and buttocks, which they deemed “excessive in terms of discipline.”
The boys were brought to the Children’s Advocacy Center for interviews, where they provided more details about the abuse. The seven-year-old revealed that Cook had “whooped” him with a “spiky switch” from a tree, while Blevins used a belt. The youngest boy, only four years old, told investigators that Cook struck him with a “leash with spikes.”
The 12-year-old recounted the harrowing details of the abuse, telling authorities, “I got abused on Friday.” He described how, after running out of soap while doing dishes, Blevins began hitting him with a thick belt. She then forced him to move heavy furniture, hitting him with the belt each time he struggled.
The affidavit also stated that the boys were made to stand against a wall while Blevins continued to strike them. Blevins and Cook were arrested and booked into the Bowie County Jail. The case highlights the devastating consequences of abuse and neglect, sparking calls for accountability and protection for vulnerable children.