Missouri Mother Accused of Withholding Food for Days and Beating Child with Phone Charger Cable, Investigators Say
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI — A Missouri mother has been arrested after deputies say she repeatedly beat a juvenile child with a phone charging cable and used food deprivation as punishment, forcing the victim to go days without eating.
The suspect, identified as Breashia Jwantae Grant, was taken into custody Friday and faces charges of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree domestic assault.
Deputies Say Child Was Running Away and Hiding from Passing Cars
According to investigators, deputies with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched at around noon on Friday to a residence on North Rocky Fork Drive after several neighbors reported seeing a child who appeared to be hiding when vehicles passed by.
When deputies arrived, they located the child, who told them they were “running away from home” due to being “physically abused.” The child’s age and identity were redacted from documents.
The victim told deputies that just before fleeing, Grant struck them more than 10 times on the arm with a phone charging cable.
When asked to show the injuries, the child rolled up their sleeve. Deputies noted the left arm was “covered in fresh red swelling” and lined with thin marks, some straight, others in swirling patterns, along with scabbing and older scars, indicating long-term abuse.
The child’s hand also showed similar scarring.
Victim Described Repeated Attacks and Said They Used One Arm to Block the Blows
Investigators observed that the victim’s left arm bore significantly more damage than the right. When asked why, the child demonstrated how they would raise their left arm “to block Breashia Grant” during the beatings.
The most recent injuries, deputies said, came from being struck with the charging cable.
The victim also described additional violent incidents:
Grant allegedly pushed them to the ground,
Kicked them in the ribs,
And punched them in the head with a closed fist,
All within the previous day.
Deputies noted that the escalating pattern of injuries appeared consistent with repeated assaults over time.
Deputies: Mother Withheld Food for Days as Punishment
In addition to physical abuse, the child told deputies that Grant routinely used food as a form of punishment.
The victim reported:
- Two weeks earlier, they were denied food for five consecutive days
- Earlier this week, they were denied food for two days in a row
Deputies wrote that these claims were consistent with signs of neglect and an ongoing pattern of control within the home.
Authorities emphasized that withholding food to this degree can cause significant medical complications, especially in children.
Grant Held Without Bond as Investigation Continues
Grant was arrested and booked into the Boone County Jail, where she is being held without bond. Her next court date has not yet been announced.
Child protective services have been notified, and investigators say additional charges may be considered depending on medical findings, forensic evidence, and the child’s ongoing statements.
The victim is now receiving care and support as authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the alleged abuse.
Cases like this highlight the importance of community awareness and quick reporting when a child appears distressed or in danger. For continuing updates on major criminal cases, child safety investigations, and breaking public safety news, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.