State Records Conflict Claims of Woman Accused of Burning Child With Potato Masher

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

MIDWEST CITY, Oklahoma -- Authorities are unclear who placed a boy in the custody of a foster mother who is accused of abusing the child with a heated potato masher.

An arrest warrant was issued for Joycelyn S. Louis after police say she burned the child with a heated potato masher several times. The foster child was diagnosed with multiple second and third-degree burns on his arm and leg.

"She would heat it up on the oven and touch it on his skin as punishment," Midwest City police Major Sid Porter said.

Louis told her attorney, Gary Higginbotham, that she's cared for the boy since he was an infant. Earlier this month, Higginbotham said his client has more than 30 years of experience with foster children and has cared for more than 100 children. 

Records with the California Department of Social Services prove otherwise. According to the department's spokeswoman, Louis was only licensed as a foster parent between April 2000 and March 2006 and fostered 38 children.

Louis' attorney also said it was his understanding the child was born in California and Louis started caring for the child through the California foster system.

However, the California Department of Social Services says Louis surrendered her license to care for foster children when she moved to Oklahoma in March 2006.

During that time, Louis received one complaint from the state for not reporting a child's injury in a timely manner. It was an injury that was not Louis' fault, according to the state of California.

"When she left she didn't take anybody with her," said Lizelda Lopez, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Social Services.

Lopez says its possible Louis fostered the child here in Oklahoma, but according to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, that's not the case.

"She's not authorized to be a foster parent here in Oklahoma", said DHS Spokeswoman Lauri Monetti.

Higginbotham says while Louis may have only been a legal foster parent for six years, it's still factual that she cared for kids, other than hers, for more than three decades.

"She was the go-to person for family, friends and neighbors", said Higginbotham. "In California, she was known as 'mama-Louis'. She has a long history of caring for her children and the children of others."

While it's unclear who placed the boy in Louis' custody, police in Midwest City say he's in protective custody now.

Higginbotham says Louis is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed facility. Midwest City police say when she's released they'll take her into custody.

More on News9.com:
- Woman Accused of Burning 9-year-old Foster Child
- Arrest Warrant Issued Against Foster Mother Accused of Burning Child With Potato Masher