Columbus police are investigating a case of alleged abuse after a 30-year-old mother admitted to throwing her 9-month-old son across a room, resulting in traumatic injuries, according to Franklin County Municipal Court documents. Billie Tustin is facing charges of felonious assault and is scheduled to appear in court Friday at 9 a.m.
The incident highlights the tragic reality of child abuse and the strain on local child protective services. The 9-month-old boy is currently hospitalized at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Franklin County Children services (FCCS) is seeking custody of both him and Tustin’s 3-year-old daughter, who is already in FCCS care.This case unfolds as Tustin was attempting to end FCCS involvement with her family regarding custody of her daughter.
Investigators were called to the scene due to the severity of the infant’s injuries,prompting the Columbus Police Homicide Unit to take over the investigation. Court records detail Tustin’s admission to throwing the baby, who then landed on his head. She further admitted to multiple instances of throwing the child, as well as spanking and slapping him when frustrated.
FCCS released a statement calling the alleged abuse “appalling and heartbreaking.” The agency stated, “Our agency has been connected to his mother Billie Jo Tustin, who had been seeking to end our involvement with her family related to custody of her 3-year-old daughter. We will be pushing for the court to deny that.”
FCCS affirmed its commitment to working with law enforcement and prosecutors to hold Tustin accountable. “We will work with police and prosecutors as they hold accountable a parent who allegedly chose to harm their defenseless child,” the statement read. 10TV reached out to FCCS for comment and received the agency’s statement.
