34-year-old mother, who deprived her child of food as punishment, hit them with a cord over 10 times, punched them in the head and kicked them in the ribs while they were on the ground, was charged

Missouri – In a deeply unsettling case out of Missouri, a 34‑year‑old mother, identified as B. Grant, has been arrested after authorities say she repeatedly abused her child, starving them for days at a time, whipping them with a cord, and violently beating them with fists and kicks. The mother now faces serious felony charges: one count of first‑degree endangering the welfare of a child and one count of third‑degree domestic assault. Those charges reflect what investigators describe as a long history of abuse and neglect inflicted under the guise of punishment.

Grant was taken into custody after deputies from the sheriff’s department responded to a call about a “suspicious incident” at a home. Multiple neighbors had phoned in, worried by the sight of a child who appeared to be hiding whenever cars passed, which was a red flag that raised the alarm. According to the court’s probable cause affidavit, when officers arrived, they found the child in distress. The child reported having “run away from home” because of ongoing physical abuse. Investigators described wounds and scars consistent with repeated beatings: red swelling on the left arm, old scars and scabs, and signs of recent trauma on both hands. The child said Grant had struck them more than 10 times with a cord and, on another occasion, had slapped them to the ground, punched them in the head with a fist, and kicked them repeatedly in the ribs.

Beyond the physical violence, the child also alleged cruel and prolonged deprivation of food. According to their statement, Grant had refused to feed them for five consecutive days as punishment and again two days in a row earlier in the same week. Investigators consider such denial of nourishment especially heinous, particularly given the age and vulnerability of the victim. Because of the severity and multiplicity of offenses—repeated beatings, starvation, and a clear pattern of assault—law enforcement charged Grant with first-degree endangerment of a child and third-degree domestic assault, both felonies.

When deputies arrived, the child told them they had attempted to flee the home and begged for help. Under questioning, the child described in vivid detail the repeated physical punishment inflicted by Grant. The cord used as a makeshift whip had caused fresh red welts; scars from older injuries traced back days, weeks, and possibly months. The worst recent beating, the child said, culminated not just in whipping but in a brutal assault: after the cable strikes, Grant allegedly knocked the child down, punched them in the head, then kneed and kicked them in the ribs multiple times. The child’s left arm bore the majority of the injuries, which the victim demonstrated had been raised to block blows. Their hands also showed signs of damage, likely from trying to defend themselves.

When deputies tried to account for the injuries on the right arm, which was comparatively less damaged, the child explained that their left arm was always used to shield themselves, leaving the right side relatively spared. As if the violence wasn’t enough, the child claimed that Grant withheld food for long periods as a form of punishment. According to them, there was a stretch of five days without food, followed by another incident where food was withheld for two consecutive days. These admissions, combined with the physical evidence, painted a grim portrait of chronic abuse and neglect.

After Grant’s arrest, she was booked into the county jail and remains held without bond. Prosecutors and child welfare officials view the case as urgent, citing the clear danger the child faced. At this time, no court date has been publicly scheduled. Authorities have also alerted protective services, and depending on the ages and conditions of other children in the household, further investigation may proceed to assess their safety and determine whether removal or other protective measures are necessary.

The case has shaken neighbors and local community members. Several told deputies they had suspected something was wrong for weeks; the child often appeared frightened and avoided being seen when vehicles drove by. Some admitted they had considered calling authorities but assumed it was a family matter. Now, with formal charges filed, they expressed relief the child is out of immediate danger, but concern remains for possible long‑term trauma.

Child advocates say this case underscores how abuse can hide behind closed doors and how physical punishment can quickly escalate into severe injury and neglect, especially when children are isolated and caregivers believe they can act with impunity. As the legal process unfolds, the hope is that the child will receive proper care and protection and that Grant will face the full consequences of her actions. For now, the case stands as a grim reminder of the damage wrought when trust is betrayed and power is abused.