Denynese Tillison
A grandmother was charged with three counts of child neglect after allegedly punching her three grandchildren in a Dollar General parking lot.
Police responded to a call of child abuse at 3158 Broad St. on late Saturday evening. They were warned there was an intoxicated woman who was punching three small children in the parking lot of the mart.
They arrived to a scene described as chaotic, with Denynese Tillison, 54, characterized as confrontational, scatter-brained, and stressed. Three small children, standing near a car, were described as “hysterical” and continually apologizing for losing the car keys.
Ms. Tillison blamed the children for losing her car key. They were later confirmed to be her grandchildren. According to a store employee, Ms. Tillison had made a purchase at the Dollar General and left, but returned after she realized she could not find her key.
Another customer, who had parked a few spaces away from Ms. Tillison, then flagged down the employee. The employee was told the customer saw Ms. Tillison punching the children while cursing at them.
When medical personnel arrived, they “insured there were no medical injuries sustained by the children,” according to the police report. The children’s mother then arrived and took custody of them.
According to police, the mother did not appear surprised by the allegations levied against her own mother, but denied that such behavior was normal for Ms. Tillison. While being transported to the Hamilton County Jail, Ms. Tillison spoke haphazardly about a variety of subjects, none of which pertained to the situation, police said.
Ms. Tillison was charged with one count of disorderly conduct and three counts of child neglect.