A Shongaloo woman has been arrested on multiple charges after Webster Parish deputies responding to a welfare check found three young children with numerous injuries at a residence.
Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said 43-year-old Julie Michelle Taylor was arrested and charged with six counts of cruelty to juveniles and obstruction. Taylor is being held in the Webster Parish jail under a $160,000 bond.
According to Parker, deputies were interviewing 26-year-old Sabra Samantha Neal of Springhill when Neal reportedly acknowledged receiving a text message from Taylor asking if she had “Mojo.” Authorities said Mojo is a slang term primarily used for synthetic cannabinoid products often referred to as synthetic marijuana.
During the interview, deputies learned Taylor was caring for Neal’s three children. Neal reportedly told investigators she had planned to leave the children in Taylor’s care and pick them up the following morning.
Deputies Cody Clifford and Bryan Miller were dispatched to Taylor’s Fire Tower Road residence to conduct a welfare check. Upon arrival, deputies reportedly found an approximately 1-year-old female strapped upside down in a car seat with her face lying on the concrete. The child was reportedly “crying and screaming.”
Deputies also located two male juveniles inside the residence.
During their investigation, deputies observed injuries on all three children and called emergency medical services to the scene for evaluations.
Authorities said the female juvenile had facial bruises. The oldest male juvenile reportedly had several bruises and scratch marks across his body and face, along with welts on his back and right buttocks. The youngest male juvenile reportedly had several bruises and scratch marks across his body and welts on his arms and shoulders.
While photographing the residence, deputies reportedly observed a bag on a couch containing several clear plastic bags with a green leafy substance in plain view. Authorities said the bags contained approximately 3.89 grams of synthetic marijuana and rolling papers.
During interviews at the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, Taylor reportedly admitted she was “overwhelmed” and placed her hands on the juveniles, saying she “did take it way too far.”
Investigators said Taylor also admitted wrapping the seatbelt of her vehicle around the wrists of one of the juveniles. She reportedly told deputies she “laid her hands on” the juveniles several times throughout the day, including punching one juvenile while she was driving.
An unidentified witness told investigators Taylor was hitting the juveniles with her closed fist “as if they were fighting like a grown person would.” The witness also reportedly told deputies Taylor asked them to text Neal and another individual about buying Mojo.
As a result of the investigation, Neal was arrested and charged with three counts of improper supervision of a minor and obstruction of justice. Neal is being held in the parish jail under a $1,003 bond.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.