Mom charged with child abuse

A scuffle over a bag of chips and some dip has led to a mother being charged with two counts of child abuse.

Cory E. McCoy, 31, of Green River recently appeared in the Third District Court of Judge Nena James at an arraignment to two counts of child abuse where she pleaded not guilty. A jury trial has been scheduled to take place at 9 a.m. Dec. 3. If McCoy is found guilty of both felonies, she could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $20,000.

According to court documents, on July 19, 2018, an officer from the Green River Police Department responded to a phone call regarding a report of child abuse and a person who wanted the Division of Family Services to take their children into custody.

The officer spoke with a girl around 12 years old. She was identified as EM, who said her mother, McCoy, had allegedly punched her in the stomach earlier that day. She also told the officer her mother had allegedly pushed her into a vacuum and it caused her to received scratches on her leg. EM showed the officer red marks on her lower left abdomen and scratches on her right thigh.

The officer observed a red mark about 6 inches long and 4 inches wide on EM’s abdomen, which

she told the officer was from her mom allegedly punching her with a closed fist. The officer also saw multiple scratches on the top of her right thigh that were about 4 inches in length. EM told the officer that’s where McCoy allegedly shoved the vacuum into her. Photos of the injuries were taken.

When the officer tried speaking to McCoy, she was hostile and agitated with the officer and told the officer to have DFS take custody of her four children. McCoy allegedly admitted to punching EM in the stomach.

Another officer interviewed EM at the scene. EM told this officer that she and her mother had been eating chips on the couch. When EM asked for some dip, her mom refused to give her any. EM said she then reached over to get some dip and McCoy allegedly punched her in the stomach. EM said she told her mother she couldn’t hit her and crumbled up a chip and threw it at her mom. McCoy allegedly punched the girl in the stomach again. EM told the officer it hurt so bad she thought she might throw up, but she didn’t.