Port St. Lucie, Florida (SafeCITY) - Beverly Jean Hutchings-Watts, a 52-year-old Port St. Lucie woman, was jailed after she allegedly beat her 12-year-old adopted son with an extension cord before shoving socks into his mouth and then taping his mouth closed.
According to Port St. Lucie police, the boy was found by officers Sunday around midnight walking alone, dressed in pajamas, and no shoes, about a mile and a half from his home.
He told police that he had been "whooped" by his foster father, and that he was running away to his aunt's house. He described the attack, stating that his foster parents beat him with an extension cord because he had food and something to drink in his room. The boy also said that he was often forced to sleep on a concrete floor in the garage.
Investigators believe the boy exaggerated his story a little, but did find numerous lineal bruises on his back, legs, and buttocks and what looked to be “pick marks” on his abdomen. Documents show the boy has a history of manipulation, defiance, lying, aggression, and other behavior problems.
Mrs. Watts admitted to detectives that she beat him with a belt, not an extension cord, and showed police the belts she used. The injuries the boy sustained were not believed to be from the belts she showed.
The boy also claims that Watts put socks in his mouth and covered it with tape during times he was being "disciplined."
Watts was booked into jail and charged with felony aggravated child abuse.
His father, 48-year-old Walter Watts, could also face charges for reportedly physically abusing him.
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