John Jefferson
Haily Bellard (Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office).
A young Louisiana mother faces criminal charges after a concerned citizen called 911, reporting the defendant’s young child had been beaten and was wearing a trash bag.
Haily Bellard, 21, faces charges of second-degree cruelty to juveniles, aggravated battery, and domestic abuse battery, the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
The allegations stem from a call made to the agency on Thursday. Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a citizen alerting authorities to the young child’s condition, the agency said.
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Patrol deputies responded to the address and found a 4-year-old who had injuries consistent with being struck by an object several times in the back and leg area, the press release said.
During the investigation, investigators learned the child was injured after allegedly being disciplined by the mother. She allegedly used a plastic utensil on the child several times and then made the child wear a plastic trash bag as clothing.
The child was taken by ambulance to the Allen Parish Hospital for treatment and was later released, officials said.
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Detectives arrived and began speaking with witnesses and, subsequently, arrested the mother, authorities said.
Bellard, who also goes by the name Haily Bellard Bennett, was booked into the Allen Parish Jail. She awaits a bond hearing.
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