Police in Ohio have arrested a mother accused of throwing her infant across the room, and shockingly, it might not be the first time it’s happened. Billie Jo Tustin, 29, reportedly called 911 to report that her 9-month-old baby boy was unresponsive. By the time officers from the Columbus Police Department arrived, paramedics had to rush the baby to a hospital. He had critical injuries, and his mother now faces a felonious assault charge.
Tustin told investigators she’d physically disciplined the baby in the past, acording to a probable cause statement obtained by the Columbus Dispatch. She allegedly admitted to spanking him, slapping him across the face, and throwing him across the room. Tustin also has a 3-year-old daughter who reportedly had bruises on her body. Franklin County Children’s Services had encountered Tustin in the past because of the older child with malnutrition. The department has custody of the 3-year-old and will seek the same for the baby.
The mother reportedly lives with her boyfriend, who allegedly told ABC 6 that the woman has “severe mental illness.” Neighbor Kelli Wallace told the news outlet the story shocked and angered her.
“I’m frustrated when someone does something to someone that is so innocent,” Wallace said. “To hear he was spanked, slapped, launched, and thrown? I can’t even imagine what the 3-year-old probably has endured before something like this happened. I didn’t even know that she had a second child because she never comes out. No one really knows her.”
During a hearing on September 19, 2025, Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor Scott Gaugler told the court the infant remained intubated and in critical condition. He reportedly has neck fractures and two brain bleeds, among other injuries. Hearing the extent of the innocent baby’s injuries makes us wonder just how abusive this mother allegedly was to her children.
Wallace encouraged people to speak up if they suspect child abuse. “Someone had to have known about her mental concerns,” the neighbor added, per ABC 6. “Whether grandmothers, aunts, or uncles, someone should have probably known and stepped up and said something before it came to this. They’re helpless, they’re defenseless, and it’s tragic.”
A Franklin County judge set Tustin’s bond at $1 million. If these allegations are true, we hope this woman never sees the outside of a cell again. No innocent baby deserves abuse. Ever.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
