Crime & Safety
Child Beaten With Belt Over Candy, Women Convicted
An Anne Arundel County jury convicted two Severn women of child abuse and assault for the attack on the 9-year-old.
SEVERN, MD — Two Severn women who took turns beating a child with a belt for taking candy without permission have been convicted of abuse in a case prosecutors call disturbing.
The Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s office says that on Friday a jury convicted
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Javonie Harper, 32, and Crystal Evans, 37, both of Severn. They were found guilty of second-degree child abuse and second-degree assault.
“Child abuse is inexcusable. No child should be beaten,” said Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Wes Adams. “I will fight to protect our smallest citizens and appreciate the jury for recognizing the evil actions of these two women, whom this child should have been able to trust to care for him.”
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The two defendants repeatedly struck the 9-year-old child during an Aug. 3 incident. The child suffered severe bruising as a result of being hit by both women for several minutes, authorities said.
“The photo evidence in this case was extremely disturbing and some of the worst I’ve ever seen in my time as a prosecutor,” said Adams.
Harper and Evans face up to 15 years in prison for the child abuse counts, and ten years for the second-degree assault.
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