Mother of 8 arrested for child abuse speaks out against allegations

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — It was Valentine’s night when Catherine Harris, 44, was arrested for child abuse, and her kids were removed by CPS. Now, Harris is out of jail and speaking out.

Harris told 17 News at her home on Larry Street, “Thanks to people creating false narratives said I got a kidnapped kid in my house, that my kids are tied up. I don’t have my kids! Do you know how hard that is?! I’ve been a mom for 27 years! Twenty-seven, and never nothing like this!”

The arrest was live streamed on Facebook, creating a social media firestorm of speculation and nasty comments after a delivery driver claimed they saw five children tied to a wall.

Harris said it’s all lies.

“Where’s the ties?! Where’s the pictures?!” said Harris. “Where’s the pictures of the bolts on the wall they were held captive to? My kids are the freest kids you will ever meet.”

Harris, a mother of eight, said six of her children are still in custody after the driver who delivered frozen pizzas to her front door from Walmart also delivered false accusations. Now, she fears for her life.

“A lot of people are posting about it threatening my kids lives,” said Harris. “Threatening my life and my kids lives off of false narratives.”

Harris said she was called to her daughter’s school after the girl was caught smoking weed in the bathroom. She says authorities came knocking at her door twice in the same month.

“My kids became addicts at school. But, they don’t wanna hear that,” said Harris. “They wanna say something’s bad in the house because her kids are going to school smoking.”

Neighbors told 17 News they were concerned for the kids who were spotted walking around in their underwear in deplorable conditions. Harris says her landlord is to blame for the living conditions and we talked to the wrong neighbors.

“The odd house. Yeah, it’s the odd house because they never fixed it,” said Harris.

Harris says she’s going to get her kids back and move out of state.

“So now, my house is the house of horrors. I’ve got my kids tied up,” said Harris. “I got a runaway at my house. I got expletive on my walls which is chocolate pudding from my expletive 4-year-old. This is just all ridiculous.”

KCSO has not released any further details from the incident. Harris said she is going to file a lawsuit against anyone involved spreading false allegations.

About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.