Kinder mother arrested for abuse after striking child with plastic utensil, making the child wear a trash bag

Published 11:22 am Friday, January 10, 2025

A Kinder mother is facing multiple charges after she allegedly beat a 4-year-old child who police say was found wearing a trash bag.

Haily Ballard, who also goes by the name of Haily Bennett, 21, is facing charges of second-degree cruelty to juveniles, aggravated battery and domestic abuse battery after being arrested Thursday by the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office. She is also charged with cyberstalking.

Sheriff Doug Hebert said Ballard was arrested after deputies were called to a Kinder residence following a 911 call made by a concerned resident.

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When deputies arrived, they found the child had injuries to the back and leg area. The injuries appeared to have been caused by being struck by an object several times, he said.

Hebert said during an investigation, deputies learned that Ballard had disciplined the child by hitting it several times with a plastic utensil. Ballard also made the child wear a plastic trash bag as clothing, he said.

The child was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment and later released, according to Hebert.