Welcome to Arrest Stories. A twenty-nine-year-old woman faces felony child abuse charges after multiple witnesses watched her repeatedly punch a child in the face and drag him into her vehicle at a busy South Knoxville grocery store parking lot. Here's what may have happened.
Around seven o'clock on Friday evening, shoppers at the Kroger parking lot in South Knoxville witnessed a disturbing scene that would lead to serious criminal charges. According to police reports, Loren Whaley was observed striking a child twice in the face with a closed fist before forcibly dragging the youngster by his arm into a white car.
Multiple witnesses called authorities after watching the twenty-nine-year-old woman assault the child in broad view of other customers. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered troubling evidence of the alleged abuse. The child had dried blood visible on his shorts and leg, along with a distinct red mark on his arm where he had reportedly been grabbed and dragged.
Police noted that the right side of the child's face appeared visibly red, consistent with witness accounts of the punching. When initially questioned, the child claimed he had suffered a nosebleed, though investigators found evidence suggesting otherwise.
During the investigation, Whaley reportedly told officers that she needed to get her phone several times, though police have not elaborated on the significance of this statement or how it relates to the alleged assault.
The incident unfolded in full view of numerous shoppers, with witnesses providing detailed accounts of the violence they observed. Their testimonies painted a picture of an unprovoked attack against a defenseless child in a public setting.
Whaley was taken into custody Friday evening and now faces felony child abuse charges. The case highlights the importance of bystander intervention and community vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from harm.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together the complete circumstances surrounding this troubling incident.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.