A Tennessee woman arrested for allegedly stabbing the father of her child during a custody exchange appeared unfazed and smiled widely in her mugshot. Justyce Knowles, 25, was charged with aggravated assault stemming from the Dec. 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 son. An argument broke out between the two, which led to a physical confrontation. According to the documentsKnowles walked away during the dispute, entered a residence and then returned armed with a knife. He allegedly attacked Walker, causing injuries to his hands and neck.
Although Walker’s injuries were not considered life-threatening, he required treatment at One Health Regional 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, almost three weeks later, she was arrested on December 24 and charged with aggravated assault. He was placed on bail of $15,000, which he paid in on Christmas Day, securing his release.
The delay in the arrest and the lack of details about 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 on Walker’s condition other than that his injuries were not life-threatening.
The case has attracted attention, not only because of the nature of the alleged crime but also because of Knowles’ behavior during his booking. Her smiling mugshot has sparked debates on social media about the seriousness of domestic violence and its impact on children.
Knowles is scheduled to appear in court 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.