Mom given probation

A scuffle over a bag of chips and some dip has left one mother with probation.

Cory E. McCoy, 31, of Green River appeared in the Third District Court of Judge Nena James sentencing hearing to two counts of child abuse.

In exchange for McCoy’s guilty plea to one felony count of child abuse, the other was dismissed. Under Wyoming Statute 7-13-301, McCoy’s guilty plea will not be entered and the charge will be dismissed if she successfully completes three years supervised probation. However, if McCoy doesn’t successful complete her probation the guilty plea is entered and she could go to prison.

As part of the probation terms, McCoy must complete an intensive outpatient treatment program, a women’s anger management program, attend a psychiatric evaluation and take all prescribed medications.

According to court documents, on July 19, 2018, an officer from the Green River Police Department responded to a phone call regarding a report of child abuse and a person who wanted the Division of Family Services to take their children into custody.

The officer spoke with a girl around 12 years old. She was identified as EM, who said her mother, McCoy, had punched her in the stomach earlier that day.

She also told the officer her mother had pushed her into a vacuum and it caused her to received scratches on her leg. EM showed the officer red marks on her lower left abdomen and scratches on her right thigh.

The officer observed a red mark about 6-inches long and 4-inches wide on EM’s abdomen, which she told the officer was from her mom punching her with a closed fist.

The officer also saw multiple scratches on the top of her right thigh that were about 4 inches in length. EM told the officer that’s where McCoy shoved the vacuum into her. Photos of the injuries were taken.

When the officer tried speaking to McCoy, she was hostile and agitated with the officer and told the officer to have DFS take custody of her four children. McCoy admitted to punching EM in the stomach.

Another officer interviewed EM at the scene.

EM told this officer that she and her mother had been eating chips on the couch. When EM asked for some dip, her mom refused to give her any. EM said she then reached over to get some dip and McCoy punched her in the stomach.

EM said she told her mother she couldn’t hit her and crumbled up a chip and threw it at her mom.

McCoy punched the girl in the stomach again. EM told the officer it hurt so bad she thought she might throw up, but she didn’t.