And then she hit me too hard on accident. >> Do you think that's appropriate for a grown woman to slap box with a child? We were playing around, sometimes like over escalate things, like be too dramatic. >> I can't believe you're blaming everything. Wait. >> Don't don't do that. This is not the end of the world. >> Yes it is. You don't understand. Yes it is. You don't understand. >> On May 19th, 2023, officers and DCFS responded after a young family member was found with marks and reported his mother had been playing a physical game too aggressively. Hi bud. What's your name real quick? I haven't met you yet. >> I was told that you have some marks on you. Mhm. Where at? Over here and over here. These marks? Mhm. Okay. And on the back of his arm, too. These right here? Okay. Mhm. Do you have any other marks on you? Some on the side of my face. >> On the side of your face? How'd you get those? Playing a little bit too hard last night. You were playing too hard? Mhm. Okay. When you say playing too hard, what do you mean by that? We were just like Mhm. pretending like slap box or whatever. And then she hit me too hard on accident. Okay. Whose idea was it to play slap box? >> Me. Did y'all have gloves on or anything? Mhm. Have y'all ever played like that before? Mhm. And have you ever gotten any injuries from that before? Mhm. So how come you got some now from slap box? >> Because we played a little bit too hard because I kind of hurt her hand. Because you kind of hurt her hand? Mhm. Did you go to school today? Mhm. Did your teachers or anything ask you about what happened? Mhm. What teacher did you talk to? My second period teacher, my art teacher. Her name is Ms. Hall. What did Ms. Hallworth say about the injuries on your arms and stuff? She just said, "How'd you get them?" And then she said I should probably go to the nurse and she will be back. Okay. Did you happen to tell Ms. Hallworth how you got those injuries? What did you tell Ms. Hallworth? >> I told her that I was playing and I hit too hard. What if I told you that's not what Ms. Hallworth said that you had said? Because if that's why that lady right there in the red shirt, that's why she's here because anonymous parties have to report injuries like that to her and she had said that you said that did that to you. Like she didn't but she I told my teacher not to worry about it though. You're not in trouble with us, okay? If someone mistreated you, that's something we need to know, okay? We can understand that if you did something wrong disciplines you, that's one thing, but disciplines you to the point where she leaves marks like that on your arms and your face. She didn't mean to. What do you mean by that? She just hit me a little bit um too hard when we were playing. Is it because you were playing? Because like I said, it's not what we were told and are you afraid to tell us or is that what happened because That's what happened. Because how old are you? grown a grown woman. I've never slap boxed You ever slap box? Nope. is Do you think that's appropriate for a grown woman to slap box with a child? We were playing around, yeah. Just stand nice and tall for me with your arms at your side. I just need to see this one right here. Okay. And you say that's on your face? Mhm. Can you take your glasses off real quick? I broke my glasses. I'm trying to get new ones cuz they keep breaking. I have a scratch right here. I used to have that problem when I was a kid. My glasses used to break, my lenses used to fall out. >> Yep, mine still do. That's why I switched to contact lenses. And then my contacts fall out if I rub my eye too hard. Actually, I just bought a new pair of glasses that look just like that. Do you have any other injuries, any other scratches or anything on you? No. Okay. Just hang out here, okay? I'll be right back. I don't know if we've already asked, but how does she usually discipline him? See, I'm not really sure. I mean, I don't wrestle with her, but who is this? It's also Ms. Williams. This is Ms. Williams and Ms. Williams is over Okay. Ms. Williams. Okay. I mean, he just told me that they were, you know, playing around and she hit him with the belt or whatever. >> Mhm. Do you believe that? They Because he's saying that regularly [clears throat] like slap box with each other? Yeah, they do. Do you think that that's appropriate for a grown woman to do with No, I don't think that's a She'll be at my house and she'll be like be in the bathroom. We'll have like a bunch of people over and he's like, "Come on out the bathroom cuz he likes hitting on his child." And I'm like, "No, you're an old child, just so I know you're you're kind of vulnerable." But um they will tussle. She'll be playing, "Come on, come on, let's do this and that." And yeah, she will. But I mean, it's never left any bruises or anything to my, you know, no. So what you're saying is is that he's saying got overzealous playing a game with a belt. I mean, I don't know. I wasn't here. >> Who told you that the belt was involved? He did. He didn't know that. And she told us yeah, that was yeah, she used the belt. What happened between you and him last night? What do you mean what happened last night? I told her Yeah, but I got to I hear from you, too. She called us that. Oh. The lady? She called, why would she call y'all call y'all? I'm just trying to understand. My son going to jail? >> No, as right now I'm just trying to figure out what happened. I don't know. I ain't never going through this. When I see police pull up, I be thinking I'm going to jail for something. I'm just trying to figure out, right? Cuz I spoke to him. I'm seeing y'all want me to speak to him. I spoke first to the DCFS lady just to figure out why I was called out here. So I just want to hear from you like what's He told me what happened last night. They told me what happened last night supposedly. So I just want to hear from you. He got a whipping on his legs and he put his arm out like this to the belt. He he's wearing them to his legs. He had on long jeans, so he really barely was getting tapped with the belt. But yeah, you know, when you get a whipping on your legs or something like that, you go like that to block them. That's basically what happened. I know he's probably upset. He had to wash the dishes yesterday, so he's probably upset. And he's also saying that y'all were like slap boxing last night? Yeah. So y'all Were y'all slap boxing >> we play fight all the time. He's a boy, but I mean, we don't play rough like that. So like we both, you know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. We leave marks and things like that. >> Cuz he's got doing his blocking his like Cuz he's got marks on his left hand and his right. I didn't see anything on his right. I know he got some on his left arm, but it's just Okay. Is that where the belt hit him on his left? Yeah, when he went like that, that's where that mark came from. Okay. And what about he's saying he got hit in the face, too? I don't know what what it is. Okay. Now, he do be tussling at school sometimes, so I don't know if this is a mark. So I really don't see no mark. Okay. And then just so your information, what is your first name, ma'am? Jasmine. I have my supervisor on the phone. We're going to talk to you about what's going on, okay? Ms. Williams, I'm Melissa Johnson with Child Protective Services At this time, based on the injuries, they're very excessive even if you're saying rough housing or whatever. And so we're identifying what we call present danger. That just means that we've identified some concerns with the amount of injuries as and we need to implement a safety plan. So we can implement a safety plan in this case to have him stay at and help us monitor any discipline issues, but that's something that you have to agree to. I guess so. I mean, what choice do I have? Okay. Well, the safety plan I don't need to talk to your mom first to see if she's agreeing to the safety plan and then I can have another conversation with you around what that looks like, but in this case with the amount of injury, he will need to be seen by our child protection team. Part of the safety plan could include, you know, if you go to house, do you discipline him again? We might have to call law enforcement again and and she reported. And so the concern is about what happened. >> They just to call law enforcement again. What happens around the discipline? So if you're agreeing to, you know, work and do a safety plan with us, then we can go ahead and speak to your mom. >> Yes, I can hear you. So y'all basically take safety plan. For how long? He just walked into the house away from us and I'm here >> I'll be right quick questions, okay? Some might not apply to you. Probably majority of them won't apply to you. They're just yes or no questions. Do you know if there's a gun in the house? No. Okay. Have you ever threatened to use a weapon against you? No. No. Do you know if she uses illegal drugs or uses legal drugs too much? Mhm. Okay. Has she ever destroyed anything or broken anything that you really like? Nope. Has she ever said if she can't have you, then no one can have you? No. Okay. Does she control what you do more than what does? No. Do you know if she's violent towards other kids? No. Has she ever injured or any of your pets or her pets? No. Has she ever wanted to hurt herself? >> No. Has she ever threatened to hurt herself? Nope. Okay. Has she had any problems lately with like jobs or anything? >> No. No. She works in the nursing home and I think she has a second job, but I'm not really sure what it is. Okay. Has I'm trying to go to school. I think it's in September. Okay. Has any violence gotten worse at all? Nope. Okay. Is she violent outside of y'alls like house with other people? Is she violent with other people? No. Has she ever drank too much alcohol? >> No, she doesn't drink. Okay. And has she ever threatened to kill you? No. Okay. So I got seven more questions. They're not about what happened last night or today, okay? Okay. So do you know if she's ever been arrested for anything involving family like domestic violence or anything? No. Do you know if she's been arrested for anything at all? Yes. Okay. But that was like >> That doesn't matter. We just need a yes or no answer. Okay. It's not a big deal. So I mean, a couple of these questions, they're too young for anyways, but I'm just going to read them and just say read them, okay? Have you ever requested a restraining order? No. Have you ever filed or called us for anything like the police for anything involved No. Have we ever came to your house for anything involving me? That wasn't anything bad, you know? Okay. Have you ever gotten anything like how you have now on your arms before? No. No. Okay. Have you ever signed anything before? I'm going to get your first time signing something? All I need is your first and last name. Well, I signed a couple of things. >> All I need is your first and last name right there. Okay. Awesome. That's all I needed, buddy. So, you're saying he told you that she hit him with a belt, right? Mhm. Okay, what exactly did he tell you other than just that he got hit with a belt? That was it, pretty much. I mean, I was on the phone with him. All right. When he called me to make sure I was coming to pick him up cuz I get him every weekend. And I was like, "Yeah, I'll be there." He said he was at the nurse's office and he went because um the teacher told me he had a bruise on his face. Mhm. And then the nurse said, you know, looked at the arm and she said, "Yeah, you know, we were playing around and he hit me on my arm." She hit him. Okay. And that was with the belt and that's what he told you. Okay. You swear and affirm everything you just told me is the truth? Basically, everything you told me is the truth. You didn't lie to me, right? Okay. He did not lie. So, basically, all the injuries that you got on you, like on your arm and your face, it's just from slap boxing? >> Mhm. And then you never got hit with a belt? No. Okay, cuz I got people telling me you got hit with a belt, buddy. You're not in trouble. I just want to make sure I got the right story, all right? Okay. So, did you get hit with a belt? No. No? Okay. Even saying that you told her you got hit with a belt. So, I would Well, he kind of told her that because I was overreacting. You told her that she got hit with a belt cuz you were overreacting? Okay. Because sometimes like I over-escalate things, like be too dramatic. >> Okay. Um So, they're in agreement to take him. He'll go to see PT tomorrow morning. Um they'll check him out tomorrow morning. And I'm going to follow them over to their house to deal with whatever we got to deal with over there. Mhm. Do you guys want us to leave first? Do you guys want us to If you please. Can we see the back? Where did she hit you on the back, really? On your butt? She didn't hit me on my butt. Okay, did she hit you on your legs? Did she hit you on your legs? Okay. Okay. Just stand up straight. No, just stand tall. Yeah. You can see the belt buckle. She said there they said they look probably like they probably weren't pants. Yeah, actually Well, he had pants on. So, we know for sure that I mean, that's like 1 2 3. Well, we have those pictures. What pictures? I can see the belt buckle, too. Okay. Because he's going with you, can I just get your information? Yeah. Um So, we can I still have to finish talking to him. I can't I I'm going to take him. I'm going to follow them. I'm going to go to their house. Later, okay? I'm sorry. Just hang out with me just cuz I didn't get to finish talking to you before she was talking to you. Um once they leave, I'll keep asking questions. I did not want him to hear this. I don't want to film in anyway. I told everything. Like there's nothing going on with him. What's going to happen to her? She's going to be riding with us. Everything is your fault. That she won't have a bond until tomorrow morning. Oh, no. I just didn't want to say that in front of him. Would you guys mind taking him because of the injuries? I get that it was But um How much is her bond going to be? She won't have one right away. It's still first appearance in the morning. Yes. Would you guys mind just taking We were trying to avoid doing it in front of him. And this is something that I don't want to do in front of him as well. I want to get him I got to call them from my job. Like I can't go to jail. What are you charging with? She's going to be charged Charged It is a felony. >> Why are you all grabbing me? I'm not going anywhere. I'm making No, no, no. No, no, no. Don't Don't do that. I was just And this is not the end of the world. >> Yes, it is. You don't understand. Yes, it is. You don't understand, man. I came so far. I don't get in any trouble. Jasmine, I don't get in any >> Come on. Calm down. I'll come talk to you in just a second, all right? Do you have anything in your pockets? I need you to stand up straight, okay? Take nice, big, deep breaths, okay? You have to. Into your Into your nose, out Take a nice, big, deep breath. Look. Sit up a little bit. Sit up a little bit. Take some nice, big, deep breaths. Into your nose, out through your mouth. Listen, going to jail is not the end of the world. >> Yes, it is. I can't make it. Yes, it No, you don't get that. Get that. No, you don't get that. Okay. I'm starting nursing school. Unfortunately, I have to take you. I can't And I have to stay on No, I didn't say something about I know, but I have to stay the night. I won't have a bond. That's Florida statute. That's beyond me. That's beyond my power. If something we could help, we could help it. No, you If I could give you a bond, I'd give you a bond. But for a state of Florida statute, I cannot give you one. And the faster we can get you there, the faster you can start making phone calls. We're just We're just trying to help you through Just take a nice step up. You have to. It's not working anymore. Yes, she is, too. I know you don't want to, but you are. Just have a seat, okay? Jasmine, what's really important is for you to take nice, big, deep breaths. Out through your mouth. The reason we have to take her is number one, injuries on him. Even though she didn't You can't leave a mark. That's your punishment. You can corporal punishment is all fine and good as long as you don't leave him. And you can see on his back leg, there's a belt buckle mark right on it. And then he got She even told me I don't know if you were right here when she told me that he put his arm out to defend himself from the belt and he got hit on it. He's got marks on his arm, too, from So, that's why and I have to take her. And I can't give her a bond It can't be a misdemeanor. It's got to be a felony. It's got to be, yeah. Because of the fact that she was trying to punish him and still left marks that were consistent with like her hitting him multiple times. Do you have any other questions for me? It's got to be, yeah. Thank you. Jasmine, you You have to stop worrying about tomorrow and worry about right now. Right now, I'm in distress. Right. So, So, stop worrying about tomorrow and worry about right now. Worry about Worry about what you can do to get yourself through right now. Absolutely nothing. You can take some nice, big, deep breaths so you don't make yourself pass Don't say that, Jasmine. I know this sucks. I know this is not where you want to be. You got to focus on right now and how to get through right now and the rest of the night. You can do it. She was charged with battery, simple battery, and endangering a dependent.