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Texas Babysitter Katrina Lanett Evans Sentenced To 45 Years After Toddler Suffered Broken Jaw And Extensive Injuries
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A Texas woman who was babysitting a 2-year-old girl when the child suffered a broken jaw, multiple fractures and extensive bruising has been convicted of injury to a child and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
Katrina Lanett Evans, 34, of Lacy Lakeview, Texas, was found guilty of one first-degree felony count of injury to a child and two third-degree felony counts involving injuries to children. The case was prosecuted in McLennan County's 19th State District Court.
The most serious charge involved a 2-year-old girl who had been in Evans' care.
During the trial, medical testimony described a disturbing pattern of injuries, including a broken jaw and fractures in multiple parts of the child's body.
Evans has maintained her innocence, according to her attorney, and her lawyer said following the verdict that she planned to appeal.
What Happened To The 2-Year-Old Girl?
The underlying incident occurred in 2023, when Evans was caring for the 2-year-old daughter of a family friend.
According to testimony reported by KWTX, the child had been staying with Evans for approximately three months.
The girl's mother eventually took her to a hospital in Marlin in June 2023 after discovering that she had suffered serious injuries.
The child was initially treated at Falls Community Hospital before being transferred to Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Medical Center in Temple for further care.
Medical testimony presented during the trial described injuries that went well beyond a single incident.
A doctor testified that the toddler had 11 fractures in various stages of healing, including fractures to her jaw, wrist, elbow, hand and toes.
She also had bruising, lacerations, scars and other injuries.
A nurse who treated the child described bruises and scratches extending “from her head to her toes.”
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Prosecutors Linked The Injuries To Potty Training
A central part of the prosecution's case involved allegations that Evans became angry during efforts to potty train the child.
Prosecutors presented testimony from a Child Protective Services worker concerning an alleged statement Evans made during the investigation.
According to testimony reported by KWTX, Evans allegedly said that when she was angry and striking the child, she did not know her own strength or how hard she was hitting.
The prosecution argued that the statement helped explain how the toddler sustained such extensive injuries.
Evans disputed the account.
During the trial, she denied making the statement and accused the CPS worker of lying about what she had said.
What Injuries Did The Toddler Suffer?
Medical testimony provided some of the clearest evidence presented to jurors.
The child was reported to have suffered:
- A broken jaw
- A fractured wrist
- A fractured elbow
- Broken bones in her hand
- Fractured toes
- Multiple other fractures
- Extensive bruising
- Cuts and abrasions
- Lacerations
- Scarring
- Internal injuries
The doctor who testified said the girl had 11 fractures at different stages of healing, indicating that the injuries were not necessarily all sustained at the same time.
A nurse also described circular scars that resembled cigarette burns and a U-shaped bruise on the child's calf that prosecutors said appeared consistent with a belt-buckle injury. Those descriptions were presented as testimony during the trial, rather than as independent findings by the court.
The Case Also Involved Evans' Own Children
The toddler was not the only child involved in the criminal case.
Prosecutors also presented allegations involving Evans' two daughters, who were 3 and 5 years old in 2023.
According to trial testimony reported by KWTX, Evans was accused of striking the girls on their backs, legs and ribs using objects including switches, shoes, a metal towel rack and clothes hangers.
Those allegations resulted in the two third-degree injury-to-a-child convictions.
The McLennan County indictment confirms that Evans was charged with three counts of injury to a child in September 2023. A separate retaliation indictment was filed in 2024.
What Did The Jury Decide?
After hearing the evidence, jurors found Evans guilty of:
- One count of first-degree injury to a child
- Two counts of third-degree injury to a child
The verdict was reached in August 2026 following the trial in the 19th State District Court.
The case then moved into sentencing.
Evans received a 38-year prison sentence on the first-degree injury-to-a-child conviction and additional seven-year sentences on each of the two third-degree counts, resulting in a total sentence of 45 years according to local reporting.
Evans Maintains Her Innocence
Despite the verdict, Evans has continued to deny the allegations.
Her attorney, Jason P. Darling, said after the trial that Evans was disappointed with the verdict and maintained her innocence.
He also said she intended to appeal.
That distinction is important.
The jury's verdict establishes the outcome of the criminal trial, but Evans retains the right to challenge her conviction through the appeals process.
What Happened To The Children?
According to statements reported after the sentencing, the children are no longer in Evans' care.
Her two daughters are living with an aunt after her parental rights were terminated, according to KWTX.
The 2-year-old girl involved in the case is also reportedly living with a relative.
Prosecutors said following the verdict that the children had physically recovered and were now in safe and supportive homes.
That provides an important piece of context that is sometimes missing from crime coverage: what happened to the victims after the criminal case moved forward?
Why The Medical Evidence Was Important
The medical evidence was central to the prosecution's case because it provided jurors with information about the severity and timing of the child's injuries.
The testimony did not describe a single isolated bruise.
Instead, the doctor described multiple fractures at different stages of healing, while other medical testimony described widespread bruising, cuts and scarring.
For prosecutors, the pattern of injuries was significant because it helped them argue that the child had experienced repeated physical harm.
The defence disputed the prosecution's interpretation of events.
Ultimately, the jury found Evans guilty.
What Were The Original Charges?
The McLennan County indictment from September 2023 lists Evans under three injury-to-a-child counts.
A separate McLennan County indictment from August 2024 lists a retaliation charge against Evans.
The charges concerning the three children formed the basis of the trial that resulted in the August 2026 convictions.
It is important to distinguish the charges from the eventual verdict: being charged does not establish guilt, while the later jury verdict represents the court's determination after the evidence was presented.
Why This Case Matters For Childcare Safety
The case also raises a broader question for parents who rely on babysitters and other caregivers.
When a child is too young to explain what happened to them, adults may need to pay particular attention to unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour and other warning signs.
That does not mean parents should automatically suspect every caregiver.
Most childcare arrangements do not involve abuse.
But parents can take practical steps to reduce risks.
Check References
When hiring a babysitter, parents can ask for references and verify previous childcare experience where possible.
Discuss Expectations
Parents should clearly explain routines, discipline expectations, medical needs and emergency procedures before leaving a child with someone.
Pay Attention To Injuries
Unexplained or repeatedly occurring injuries should not simply be dismissed, particularly when a young child cannot explain how they happened.
Take Serious Injuries Seriously
A serious injury should receive prompt medical attention.
Parents should also make sure caregivers know how to respond in an emergency and who to contact.
A Trial That Included Testimony From A Child
The proceedings also included emotionally difficult testimony involving Evans' oldest daughter.
According to KWTX, the girl briefly testified about being struck by her mother before becoming overwhelmed and crying.
She described being hit with objects including belts, a towel rod, shoes and sticks.
Such testimony can be particularly significant in cases involving very young children because it may provide jurors with information about what happened inside a home that would otherwise be difficult to reconstruct.
The prosecution also presented medical evidence and testimony from investigators and healthcare workers.
Evans disputed parts of the prosecution's account.
What Happens After The 45-Year Sentence?
The criminal trial has ended with Evans' conviction and sentence, but the legal process may not necessarily be finished.
Her attorney has indicated that she intends to appeal.
An appeal is not a retrial simply because a defendant disagrees with a verdict. Instead, an appellate court reviews legal issues raised in the case under the applicable rules.
The outcome of any appeal could therefore affect what happens next.
For now, the trial court's judgment is that Evans is guilty of the three injury-to-a-child offenses for which she was convicted.
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Final Takeaway
The case of Katrina Lanett Evans began with allegations involving a toddler in her care and ultimately ended with a jury conviction and a 45-year prison sentence.
The evidence presented during the trial described a 2-year-old girl with a broken jaw, multiple fractures, extensive bruising and other injuries.
The case also involved allegations concerning Evans' own two daughters, resulting in two additional convictions.
Evans continues to maintain her innocence, and her attorney has said she plans to appeal.
For parents, the case is a sobering reminder that choosing someone to care for a young child involves more than convenience. References, communication, appropriate supervision and attention to unexplained injuries can all play an important role in protecting children.
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