Harris Co. Pct. 7 sergeant accused of beating adoptive children with belt, court records say

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Harris County Constable Precinct 7 sergeant is facing two felony counts after being accused of hitting her children with a belt, according to investigators.

Joceyln Ballard, 41, appeared in probable cause court overnight on Thursday.

During her court appearance, a judge read off the accusations against her. Court record states Ballard is accused of causing bruises to her two adopted children, ages 9 and 12.

According to Precinct 7, she was investigated and arrested by her own department.

They say the investigation started on Dec. 24. The charges were filed on Thursday, Feb. 5.

Ballard's public defender argued that Ballard should still be able to see her children, but the judge ruled otherwise.

Instead, the judge put an emergency protection order in place, so she's not allowed to have any contact with her children.

Precinct 7 states that, upon her arrest, she was immediately relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of this case.

The sergeant has been with the department for 10 years of her 18-year career in law enforcement, where she was assigned to the training division.

Ballard made bond and will appear in front of a judge again on Monday, officials said.

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