Comment on Hawkins mom allegedly beat kids with whip for preventing her from driving drunk

ROGERSVILLE – A Hawkins County woman was charged with aggravated child abuse Wednesday evening after she allegedly beat her two children with a bull whip when they tried to prevent her from driving drunk. Around 5:25 p.m. Wednesday HCSO Deputy Billy Begley responded to a complaint of an intoxicated woman beating her children with a whip at a residence on Laurel Branch Road in the Pressmen's Home community north of Rogersville. Begley stated in his report that he spoke with the mother, Crystal Elaine McMillian, who was “very intoxicated”, holding the whip, and allegedly admitted to hitting using it on her children, ages 7 and 12 after they “hit her first”. McMillian, 38, doesn't have custody of the children, and was reportedly visiting them at the home of her wheelchair bound mother. The grandmother reportedly told Begley that McMillian had been drinking, and tried to leave in her vehicle. When the children tried to stop McMillian, she allegedly started hitting the children with the whip, the grandmother told Begley. The grandmother also stated that because she is in a wheelchair she was unable to protect the children. Begley stated in is report that he observed two cuts from the whip on the 7-year-old boy's forehead and a knot on the back of his head that was caused by the whip as well. The 12 year old girl was found to have a welt on her right hand, and stated she was hit several times on the bottom as well. They were treated for their injuries at home by the grandmother. McMillian was charged with aggravated child abuse , which is a Class B felony punishable by 8-12 years if found guilty. As of Thursday she was being held in the Hawkins County Jail with no bond set pending arraignment in Sessions Court Monday morning.