Mother and Step-Father Indicted for Child Abuse

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Jacklyn J. Balabis, 26, and Parris D. Woods, 24, both of Buffalo, were arraigned this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Kelly Vacco on a 15-count indictment. Balabis and Woods have each been charged with the following offenses:

• Two counts of Assault in the First Degree (Class B violent felonies)
• Six counts of Attempted Assault in the First Degree (Class C violent felonies)
• Six counts of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (Class D felonies)
• One count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class A misdemeanor)

It is alleged that on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at approximately 10:47 p.m., members of the Buffalo Fire Department, Buffalo Police Department and AMR responded to the defendants' residence on the 300 block of Parkdale Avenue after receiving a 911 for a child found unresponsive. The victim, a 7-year-old child, was taken by ambulance to Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo when he was hospitalized for eight days to receive treatment for hypothermia and other injuries.

It is alleged that the defendants, while acting in concert with one another, intentionally caused serious physical injuries to a child under their care by using water as a dangerous instrument. The defendants allegedly forced the victim to take a cold bath and held the victim underwater as punishment. The defendants are accused of recklessly engaging in conduct, under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life, that created a grave risk of death to another person and thereby caused serious physical injury to the victim.

It is further alleged that between on or about October 16, 2025, and on or about December 11, 2025, the defendants knowingly acted in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental, or moral welfare of a child. The defendants, while acting in concert, are accused of repeatedly punishing the victim by means of physical abuse, withholding food, forced exercise and cold showers.

Balabis and Woods are scheduled to return for a pre-trial conference on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. Our prosecutor requested that the defendants be remanded. Both were held without bail. Temporary orders of protection were issued.

If convicted of the highest charge, Balabis and Woods face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

"These disturbing allegations involve physical abuse and the deliberate deprivation of basic needs. No child should ever be subjected to this level of cruelty - especially by the hands of those entrusted with their care. This case demands accountability and we will prosecute the accused to the fullest extent of the law," said Erie County DA Mike Keane.

DA Keane commends Detective Mark Costantino of the Buffalo Police Department, Buffalo Fire Department, AMR paramedics, medical professionals at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Child Advocacy Center at BestSelf and ECDA victim advocate Nicole Haffa for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephen C. Papia of the Felony Trials Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Justin H. Caldwell of the Homicide Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.