Buffalo, NY (WBEN) A Buffalo couple is accused of a 15 count child abuse indictment.
26 year old Jacklyn Balabis and 24 year old Parris Woods are charged with assault, attempted assault, reckless endangerment and child welfare endangement in connection with a series of incidents at their Parkdale Avenue home.
On December 11th, prosecutors say first responders went to the home after a 911 call of a child found unconscious. A 7 year old child was taken to Golisano Children's Hospital for treatment for hypothermia and other injuries'.
Prosecutors add the couple forced the victim to take a cold bath and held the victim underwater as punishment. In addition, prosecutors say the couple repeatedly punished the child by withholding food, physical abuse, forced exercise and cold showers between last October and last December..
Balabis and Woods are scheduled to return for a pre-trial conference on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. for a pre-trial conference.
Both were held without bail. Temporary orders of protection were issued.
If convicted of the highest charge, Balabis and Woods face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.