A 1-year-old baby had suffered from horrific sexual abuse by his mother and his mother’s boyfriend. Unfortunately, the baby could not survive the pain and horror and died on his first birthday.
The name of the baby was Hoss Wayne Benham. It was found that Baby Hoss has suffered 89 injuries across his body.
Baby Hoss lived in Cullman, Alabama. He was taken to the hospital by his mother and his mother’s boyfriend. Baby Hoss was pronounced dead by medical in charge on 11th of March, 2014
According to the court documents, it was revealed that Crystal Ballenger and Jeffrey Brown had told the police officer that the baby boy was drowned in a bathtub. However, when the police officer checked the baby, he found bruising and skull fracture on his body. There were also signs of abuse on the baby.
According to a report by Cullman Today, Crystal stated on the night of March 11, Jeff was giving Hoss a bath, and she walked into the bathroom and witnessed Jeff holding Hoss underwater for 20-25 seconds. The report also stated that “Jeff told Crystal he was teaching Hoss how to float and that he could hold his breath.”
The autopsy report revealed that baby Hoss had thirty-eight bruises on the head and neck.
There were four injuries around his eyes. During the autopsy, the doctor found out 19 injuries on the baby’s arms and legs. The baby’s genitals and anus were also injured.
Hoss’s mother, Crystal Ballenger and his mother’s boyfriend, Jeffrey Hugh Brown, was charged with capital murder and sexual assaults.
According to the local newspaper of Cullman, the Cullman Times, the trial of Jeffrey Hugh Brown, of Vinemont, has been adjourned by his lawyer. His lawyer had requested it on Monday. However, the proceeding will be scheduled for sometime after September.
It is unclear when Ballenger will stand trial.