Lake Charles Mother Arrested for 2nd-Degree Cruelty to a Juvenile

A Lake Charles mother has been arrested for charges pertaining to child abuse. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives were notified on August 21, about the "possible child abuse".

According to a media release from Kim Myers, detectives learned a 5-year-old girl went to school with "what appeared to be a belt mark across her face". The girl told detectives that her mom, Krystal A. Simpson, 36, Lake Charles, whipped her on "numerous occasions". Detectives observed the victim's legs and back, which had "old and new bruising".

After speaking with Simpson, she confirmed to detectives that she whipped her daughter, but that it was "only on the butt". She also told them she did not cause all of the markings on the child, and that the 5-year-old self-harmed herself.

Further investigation proved that Simpson had been "neglectful in her care" of the child since her birth. The Department of Child and Family Services had also previously put the girl in foster care, but later placed her back into the care of Simpson.

A warrant was signed on October 2, for $250,000 for Simpson’s arrest. She was located the following day and arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with cruelty to juveniles; and second-degree cruelty to juveniles.

The child has been placed with family members, said Myers.