A Texas babysitter has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after a jury found her guilty of brutally beating a 2-year-old girl so severely that the child suffered a broken jaw, broken bones in her wrist and hand, and bruises covering her entire body.
Katrina Lanett Evans, 34, was convicted of one count of injury to a child in the first degree and two counts of injury to a child in the third degree following a trial in the 19th State District Court in McLennan County. The jury deliberated before finding her guilty on Wednesday.
Background
The abuse occurred in 2023 while Evans was babysitting the toddler, according to the McLennan County District Attorney's Office. Prosecutors alleged the violence intensified during potty training efforts, with Evans repeatedly striking the child when she did not behave.
Evans also faced charges related to allegations that she physically abused her own two daughters, who were 3 and 5 years old at the time of the incidents.
The Investigation
According to court documents reviewed by Law&Crime, Evans was arrested in August 2024. Her trial began on Monday and concluded with the guilty verdict just days later.
Prosecutors presented testimony from an emergency room nurse at Falls Community Hospital who described the extent of injuries sustained by the toddler. The child had bruises and scratches covering her body "from her head to her toes," along with white circular scars consistent with cigarette burns and a U-shaped bruise allegedly caused by blows from a belt buckle.
The nurse testified that the child was first treated at a hospital in Marlin, a small town roughly 30 miles southwest of Waco, before being transported to a children's hospital in Temple for further care.
"When you are in a rage and just popping, you don't know your own strength and how hard you are hitting a baby," Evans allegedly told Child Protective Services agents during the investigation, according to the state's opening statement as reported by KWTX.
Prosecutors alleged that Evans not only inflicted the physical trauma but also failed to seek timely medical care for the child.
"While the law authorizes adults to reasonably discipline children, this defendant repeatedly struck these kids all over their bodies, including their faces and heads, causing serious injuries to a two year old," Assistant District Attorneys Will Hix and Maddie Beach said in a statement. "This behavior was simply child abuse and nothing more."
The Sentencing
Evans received a total sentence of 45 years in prison. The first-degree injury to a child count carried a sentence of 38 years, while the two third-degree counts related to crimes against her own children resulted in an additional seven years.
"We are so grateful that all of the children have physically recovered, are away from this defendant and are in loving households and are thriving," prosecutors said following the verdict.
Key Takeaways
- Katrina Lanett Evans was sentenced to 45 years in prison for injury to a child charges in McLennan County
- The 2-year-old victim suffered a broken jaw, broken bones in her wrist and hand, and bruises covering her entire body
- Additional injuries included scars resembling cigarette burns and a U-shaped bruise from what prosecutors alleged was a belt buckle
- Evans allegedly claimed she did not know her own strength while beating the child during potty training
- The abuse occurred in 2023; Evans was arrested in August 2024
- All three children have reportedly recovered physically and are now in safe environments
What's Next
Evans has a 30-day window following sentencing to file an appeal. Child Protective Services will continue monitoring all three children as they adjust to their new placements. The McLennan County District Attorney's Office confirmed that no additional charges are expected in this case, and the criminal proceedings have concluded with the sentencing.