Humble mother allegedly sends disturbing videos abusing her child to upset baby's father
HUMBLE, Texas (KTRK) -- An Humble woman has been charged with child endangerment after allegedly sending disturbing pictures and videos of her abusing her 1-year-old son.
*Warning: The video in this story might be hard to watch for some*
Janelle Peterkin refused to answer questions by Eyewitness News reporter Kaitlin McCulley as she walked out of court this morning. It was our first look at Peterkin since the videos were released.
The boy's aunt, Ra'Neicha Broadnax, said she received videos and pictures from Peterkin showing the child being slapped, having a lighter held to his fingers, and a plastic bag put over his head.
Broadnax said it appears Peterkin sent the videos and images because the child's father had a new girlfriend.
According to the family, they began receiving messages containing the images and videos from Peterkin on April 13.
Broadnax said Peterkin threatened to harm the child if they didn't respond.
One of Peterkin's alleged text messages read: "Sad that he that pressed to cheat after he just begged me to be his girlfriend. That's okay. We can keep playing. Let's see how bad y'all wanna be together," followed with a photo of the 1-year-old boy with a plastic bag tied around his head.
Peterkin was arrested and charged with endangering a child, according to the Harris County Clerk's Office.
After this story aired Sunday on Eyewitness News at 10 p.m., Peterkin called ABC13 demanding we take this story down. She told our producer the story was "inaccurate," but did not give any further explanation.
During that call, Peterkin said she wanted to share her side of the story but appeared to have changed her mind by the time Eyewitness News caught up with her.
Peterkin changed her tune from yesterday when she called ABC13 saying she wanted to share her side of the story after our original report.
Peterkin must stay at least 200 feet away from her child, the judge ordered.
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