Officials in Miller County have arrested the parents of a 1-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy for alleged physical abuse.
Cody Howard, 37, and Alixyana Williams, 21, came to the attention of law enforcement in May after two “family friends” brought their children to Wadley Hospital in Texarkana. Texarkana, Ark., police documented fresh bruising on the girl and fading bruises on the boy, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The girl had, “what appeared to be fresh bruising on her legs, back, left and right temple area, under her left eye, a cut on the inside of her upper lip, cut above her right eyebrow, cuts coming down the side of her right eye and a healing scratch on her chest,” according to the affidavit. “Her left eye was also red and nursing staff advised there may be eye damage as well.”
The two women who brought the children to the hospital told investigators that Williams had stopped answering texts or phone calls after she was informed that her children were being taken to the hospital. Investigators were also shown a text message in which Williams complains about her daughter crying and states, “finna get her ass popped.”
When interviewed by investigators, Williams at first denied knowing of the children’s injuries or how they came to be. Williams later allegedly admitted that Howard has hit both children with a belt.
“I asked her if she felt it was reasonable to hit an infant that could not even walk yet,” the affidavit states.
Williams allegedly told investigators that Howard hits the younger child “only when she cries for no reason.”
“She added that (her daughter) cries very loudly and won’t stop, even though she is clean, dry and fed,” the affidavit states.
Howard has been charged with two counts of battery. Williams has been charged with two counts of permitting the abuse of a minor. Both are being held in the Miller County jail. Howard’s bail is set at $200,000 and Williams’ at $50,000.
