A Sergeant with Over a Decade of Service Accused of Physically Abusing Adopted Children
Harris County Constable Precinct 7 sergeant Joceyln Ballard, 41, is facing serious allegations that she physically abused her two adopted children, ages 9 and 12. According to investigators, Ballard was accused of using a belt to inflict bruises on the children, prompting an investigation by her own department.
The case began on December 24, and charges were filed on February 5. Ballard's public defender argued that she should be allowed to see her children, but a judge ruled otherwise, issuing an emergency protection order that restricts any contact between Ballard and her kids.
Ballard has been with the department for over a decade, having served in the training division before being assigned to Precinct 7. Her career was put on hold as she was immediately relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this case.
The allegations against Ballard are severe, and the fact that she was investigated by her own department raises questions about the effectiveness of internal oversight. The children's well-being is now in the hands of a court system that will determine their safety moving forward.
Ballard made bond and is set to appear in court again on Monday. Her future with the department remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: she faces serious consequences for her alleged actions.
Harris County Constable Precinct 7 sergeant Joceyln Ballard, 41, is facing serious allegations that she physically abused her two adopted children, ages 9 and 12. According to investigators, Ballard was accused of using a belt to inflict bruises on the children, prompting an investigation by her own department.
The case began on December 24, and charges were filed on February 5. Ballard's public defender argued that she should be allowed to see her children, but a judge ruled otherwise, issuing an emergency protection order that restricts any contact between Ballard and her kids.
Ballard has been with the department for over a decade, having served in the training division before being assigned to Precinct 7. Her career was put on hold as she was immediately relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this case.
The allegations against Ballard are severe, and the fact that she was investigated by her own department raises questions about the effectiveness of internal oversight. The children's well-being is now in the hands of a court system that will determine their safety moving forward.
Ballard made bond and is set to appear in court again on Monday. Her future with the department remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: she faces serious consequences for her alleged actions.
This is like, super disturbing... I mean, a deputy with that much experience and trust just accused of hurting their own adopted kids? 
It's mind-boggling how far down the rabbit hole you can go before someone realizes something is seriously wrong.
And what's with the department investigating themselves? That's just weird.
it's like, what kinda training did they give her to deal w/ situations like this?! anywayz, gotta wonder how many more ppl r hiding in plain sight... & what about the kids? poor lil' things r gonna be traumatized 4 life 
It's so important for us as adults to be mindful of our own actions and how they might affect others, and I think this situation is a perfect example of that. We've got to do better, folks! 
. I mean, if you cant trust your own colleagues and superiors to keep their hands off minors, who can you trust? 
.
. and the fact that they were investigating her by their own department? that's what scares me, it's supposed to be a safeguard against people in power doing bad things, but apparently it's not working 
. i hope she gets justice, but also, i hope those kids are safe and happy soon 
.
like i get that mistakes happen and all but to physically abuse your own flesh and blood? that's just not right 
. the fact that she was investigated by her own department should've been enough to get her fired imo 
. anyway, can't wait to see what happens next in this story 
. It's wild that she was investigated by her own department, too - you'd think they'd have seen something or known something if she was being abused. Anyway, gotta keep an eye on this situation and see how it all plays out 
according to a 2020 report by the US Department of Health and Human Services, there were over 439,000 children in foster care in the US alone 
I'm not saying we shouldn't hold our law enforcement accountable, but what about all the other factors at play here? 
let's take a look at some numbers: in 2020, there were over 10,000 reports of suspected child abuse in Texas alone 
and about 1% of those cases led to felony charges 
so yeah, Ballard faces serious consequences, but we need to be having these conversations about systemic failures too 
what do you guys think? 
. I'm worried about those kids, though. They're going through so much already, and now they have to deal with an uncertain outcome at court. Fingers crossed that justice is served and they get the support they need 
.