A Tennessee woman arrested for allegedly stabbing the father of her child during a custody exchange appeared unfazed, smiling broadly in her mugshot. Justyce Knowles, 25, was charged with aggravated assault stemming from the December 4 incident, according to court documents obtained by Memphis NBC affiliate WMC.
The altercation reportedly began when Knowles and her ex, identified only as “Walker,” met to exchange custody of their child. An argument broke out between the two, escalating into a physical confrontation. According to the documents, Knowles walked away during the dispute, went inside a residence, and then returned armed with a knife. She allegedly attacked Walker, inflicting wounds to his hands and neck.
Although Walker’s injuries were deemed non-life-threatening, he required treatment at Regional One Health Medical Center. Walker identified Knowles as his attacker, and his mother, who witnessed the altercation, called 911 to alert authorities and reported Law and Crime.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Knowles was not arrested at the scene. Instead, nearly three weeks later, she was taken into custody on December 24 and charged with aggravated assault. She was held on a $15,000 bond, which she posted on Christmas Day, securing her release.
The delayed arrest and the absence of details regarding the child’s custody arrangements have raised questions. Court documents do not clarify why charges were filed so long after the incident or who currently has custody of the child.
Walker’s mother, who reportedly witnessed the event, played a crucial role in notifying authorities. However, no further updates have been provided regarding Walker’s condition, other than that his injuries were not life-threatening.
The case has drawn attention, not only for the nature of the alleged crime but also for Knowles’ demeanor during her booking. Her smiling mugshot has sparked discussions on social media about the seriousness of domestic violence and its impact on children.
Knowles is scheduled to appear in court on Friday to address the charges. As the investigation continues, questions remain about the dynamics of the custody dispute and the broader implications for the parties involved.