Troopers: Injured Child Escapes Home She Was Being Held In, Mother Charged

Milton – The Delaware State Police have arrested 35-year-old Christina R. Morris on multiple counts of child abuse and related charges, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.

Jaffe said the investigation began on November 14, 2019, at approximately 1:06 a.m., when Troopers were dispatched to the Beebe Medical Center in reference to a child abuse case.  Upon arrival, Troopers learned that a 12-year-old female had been brought to the hospital by her father with significant injuries to her face.  It was determined that the female victim had escaped her residence where she was being held by her mother, Christiana Morris and physically abused, Jaffe said Tuesday.

Further investigation revealed that two other children were being held in the residence, a 14-year-old male and a 4-year-old female.  Troopers responded to the residence on W Circle Drive in Milton where Morris was taken into custody without incident.  The two children were also located in the residence and taken into custody.

“It was learned that the 12-year-old female and 14-year old male had been physically abused by Morris on several occasions, in which Morris utilized a high heel shoe, baseball bat and belts.”, said Jaffe.  Morris had also handcuffed the 12-year-old and threatened to kill her, added Jaffe.

Police said that Morris prevented all of the children from leaving the residence.  All three children were transported to the A.I  Dupont Hospital for further treatment.

Troopers obtained a search warrant for the residence and located the baseball bat, belts and handcuffs.  It was also discovered that the windows of the residence were frosted and there were blocks in the windows to prevent them from being opened.

Morris was transported back to Troop 4 where she was charged with the following:

  • Child Abuse 1 st (4 counts)
  • Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (2 counts)
  • Unlawful Imprisonment First Degree
  • Endangering the Welfare of a Child (3 counts)
  • Unlawful Imprisonment Second Degree (2 counts)
  • Terroristic Threatening
  • Child Abuse 3rd

Morris was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on $128500.00 cash-only bond.