What to Know
In 2023, Katrina Lanett Evans was caring for her 5-year-old and 3-year-old daughters along with a 2-year-old child while also working as a cook at a fast-food restaurant. During that time, the woman reportedly worked on potty training with the children and went into a blind rage when things didn’t go as planned.
Evans allegedly beat the 2-year-old child so badly she wound up with a broken jaw. During the same time period, her own two daughters faced physical abuse at the hands of their mother. A Texas jury recently convicted Evans, who will spend decades in prison for her crimes.
Evans reportedly told child protective services she lost control.
According to court documents obtained by KWTX, Evans reportedly cared for a friend’s 2-year-old daughter for three months in 2023 while working the night shift at Whataburger. The child’s mother took her to a Marlin hospital with a broken jaw, cuts, and bruises covering her tiny body.
At the time, Evans told a CPS worker, “When you are in a rage and just popping, you don’t know your own strength and how hard you are hitting a baby.”
Prosecutors showed jurors graphic photos of the alleged abuse.
Evans’ now 8-year-old daughter tearfully testified against her mother, which reportedly left many in the courtroom visibly upset. The child said her mother beat the three children with a belt, towel rod, shoes, and sticks.
When asked where Evans hit the children, the 8-year-old said, “Everywhere,” and began to sob uncontrollably, per KWTX. Evans evidently dabbed tears from her own eyes as her child spoke. Jurors saw photos of the abuse that included a photo of a “U-shaped” bruise likely caused by a belt buckle during a beating.
Evans called the witnesses liars.
Per court documents, Evans told the court that her daughter, the CPS worker, and staff from the hospital were all liars. The mother denied abusing the children or causing their injuries. Evans claimed that as a single mom, she was just doing the best that she could and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The mother denied child abuse allegations and claimed she used physical discipline, but only “popped” her children on the leg with switches, as she was disciplined as a child.
Evans will spend decades in prison.
Video shows the 34-year-old mother walking out of the courtroom looking emotionless.
Comments on social media had little pity for the mother. Instead, they hope that her innocent victims will recover both physically and emotionally.
“Go do your time…doing that crime to kids deserve prison sad lady…maybe u get the help u need while in that place prayfully…ur kids without u now…sad just sad,” someone commented.
This person wonders why Evans had children in the first place. “Dnt make no dam sense. Should have never had kids if u were going to abuse them. Praying for them babies!!” They wrote.
“My heart, I’m so hurt,” another comment reads.
A jury sentenced Evans to 45 years in prison for a first-degree felony count of injury to a child, and seven years each for two third-degree felony counts. She will serve her sentences concurrently.
READ NEXT: A Woman Allegedly Created One Daily Punishment That a Child Endured for Nearly a Year and a Half
