A Florida mother is facing child abuse charges after she allegedly beat her children and encouraged them to hit their siblings with a belt, authorities said.
Authorities discovered the alleged abuse Tuesday when they were called to the home of Karyn Parrish, 28, in the Tampa suburb of Seffner for a welfare check.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement: “Incidences like this, where a mother inflicts such horrific treatment on her children, are completely disgusting and incomprehensible.” “My heart breaks for these two young, innocent children. As Sheriff, I want to assure you that our team will not rest until we ensure the safety of every child in our community. I promise.”
Deputies met with Parrish along with investigators from the Department of Children and Families and asked to speak with her two children. One of the children was under the age of five and showed signs of distress, including shaking and crying.
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Karin Parrish, 28, allegedly encouraged one of the children to hit the other with a belt. (HCSO Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
During the visit, deputies noticed a bruise on one child’s cheek that was nearly 2 inches in size, according to the sheriff’s office.
When asked why he had the bruise, the child replied, “Maybe it’s my mom.” “Maybe she was hitting me around. She doesn’t remember. Her mom tells her she doesn’t remember things.”
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Authorities said Parrish admitted to slapping the child at least three times. Officers found a video on her cell phone of her instructing one of her children to hit another with a belt.
In the video, she allegedly orders one child to “hit harder, hit harder.” “Defeat the cunning devil.”
Authorities said another video showed Parrish telling the child, “You’re going to be tortured,” and “If you die, that’s okay.”
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She has been charged with child abuse and is being held at Orient Road Prison. The children have been removed from their homes and are being cared for by relatives.
