KARYN PARRISH 

A 28-year-old mother of two was arrested and charged with child abuse. The arrest came about after police were asked to conduct a welfare check.

On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, deputies responded to a welfare check call at the Preserve at Sabal Park Apartments in Seffner.

When deputies arrived, they, along with an investigator from the Department of Child and Families, met with Karyn Parrish, 28, and asked to speak with her two children.

During the interaction with the children, deputies encountered a child under the age of five who exhibited signs of distress, shaking, and crying.

The child had recently received a new haircut and displayed a bruise on its cheek nearly two inches in size. Deputies asked the child how he got the bruise, and the child stated, “Maybe my mom. Maybe she was slapping me around. She doesn’t remember. Mommy tells her she doesn’t remember things.” Parrish later admitted she slapped the child at least three times.

Through investigative means, detectives also discovered videos on Parrish’s phone in which she directed one of her children to strike its sibling with a belt. In one of the recordings, Parrish can be heard laughing and saying, “Hit harder. Hit hard, baby. Beat the crap out of the sly devil.”

Detectives additionally uncovered a video in which Parrish informs her child that they are going to be tortured, and if they die, then so be it.

Parrish was arrested and charged with child abuse and transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.

The children were removed from the home and placed in the care of a relative.

The investigation is continuing.