Missouri Foster Mother Avoids Jail After Child Sent to Texas
A Missouri woman who was accused of sending her foster daughter to an unvetted home in Texas while an exotic monkey was sent back to her house has been spared a prison sentence.
Lincoln County Judge Thomas Frawley sentenced Brenda Deutsch to seven years in prison but suspended the sentence on Thursday, September 3, according to FOX 2. Deutsch, 70, was then placed on three years of state-supervised probation and was ordered to complete counseling, per the Lincoln County Journal.
Deutsch's foster-parent license was also revoked, and Frawley called her actions “reprehensible.” He also apologized to people who testified about alleged abuse that she caused, per the outlets.
Deutsch previously pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child in the first-degree on June 15. As part of her plea agreement, two counts of abuse or neglect of a child against her were dismissed.
What did the judge say at sentencing?
During her sentencing hearing, Frawley said that Deutsch “did not abuse anyone, engage in patterns of abusive behaviors, trade a child for a monkey, or anything else that has been said,” according to the Lincoln County Journal.
However, Deutsch's biological daughter, Brina Johnson, and one of her former foster children spoke about the alleged abuse they experienced at the sentencing, according to FOX 2.
Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wood also told the court that his office received several allegations against Deutsch. However, the reports could not be prosecuted under the applicable statutes of limitations because the alleged incidents happened so long ago.
How did the investigation begin?
The investigation into Deutsch began after the Missouri Department of Social Services Children's Division received an anonymous report claiming that she was physically and mentally abusing the girl in November 2024.
The following month, the girl claimed to authorities that Deutsch hit her with different objects that included shoes, wood trim and a paddle. She also claimed that Deutsch did not feed her enough and she donated her clothes to Goodwill.
A school resource officer learned the girl was in Texas when she looked into her absences from school in February 2025. An officer then heard a rumor that the girl had been traded for a monkey.
What happened while the girl was in Texas?
The woman who was caring for the girl in Texas allegedly told investigators that she was helping Deutsch after she learned that the foster mom and girl were not getting along. The woman eventually told Deutsch that she no longer wanted to care for the girl, and Deutsch allegedly refused to pay for the girl's return flight.
Deutsch claimed to investigators that she bought a plane ticket for the girl, but it was never used because the Texas woman could not bring her to the airport. The woman then left the girl with another person while she went out of town.
The girl was eventually brought to the Eastland Sheriff's Office, and she was taken into the custody of Texas Child Protective Services.
While speaking to investigators, the girl said the woman in Texas sometimes left her alone for several days and that she would have to care for her exotic animals.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.