A Texas mother, Katherine Crosby, is facing felony charges after she allegedly slammed her young daughter’s head into a wall as punishment, leaving the child with a black eye. The 39-year-old woman reportedly admitted to the abuse and later attempted to coach the victim and her siblings to lie about the incident during investigations.
The Alleged Abuse
According to court documents, on June 6, a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigator observed Crosby’s daughter, who is under 14, with a swollen black eye. When questioned, the child told the investigator that abuse was common in their home.
The victim described being punished for misbehaving, including having her head slammed into a wall by her mother, causing the black eye.
The child stated that the incident took place on June 5, when Crosby allegedly grabbed the back of her head by the ponytail and slammed it into the wall. The victim further revealed that this was not the first instance of such abuse and that her mother did not provide medical attention or even ice for the injury.
Mother’s Admission and Coached Lies
Following the interview, investigators allege that Crosby admitted to the abuse. According to the affidavit, Crosby confirmed slamming her daughter’s head into the wall and even demonstrated how she did it.
When questioned by the investigator about her actions, Crosby reportedly asked, “What, I cannot do that?” The investigator informed her that such actions constituted child abuse.
As the investigation continued, it was revealed that Crosby attempted to coach her children to lie about the incident. The victim and her sisters claimed their mother told them to lie, instructing them to say that the black eye was caused by the victim falling on a brick.
The victim herself seemed confused, asking, “Wait, was I supposed to say that I tripped on a brick because that’s what mom said to say?”
Attempt to Recant Confession
The following day, during a CPS meeting, Crosby allegedly tried to recant her earlier confession and even asked the investigator to re-question the children. She reportedly wanted the children to say that she had not harmed them. However, the children’s testimonies aligned with the victim’s account of the abuse.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Crosby was arrested on July 9 and charged with one count of felony injury to a child. She was held at the Tyler County Jail on a $125,000 bond and was released the following day. At the time of the arrest, the date of her next court hearing was not yet available.
Katherine Crosby’s actions have shocked the community, as she now faces serious charges after allegedly abusing her daughter and attempting to manipulate the investigation. The case highlights the importance of child protection and the need for accountability in cases of abuse.
