Egner facing child abuse charges after series of odd behaviors

LAFOLLETTE, TN. (WLAF)- Daphne Egner spun a tale of pain and Cancer when LaFollette Police appeared at her doorstep last week.

LPD Officer Joe Hicks was there after a call was received about a disoriented female who had asked someone to “just take care of my kids,” the report said.

Hicks found Egner at 606 S. 13^th St., who immediately gave him a false name. She then gave him a Kentucky driver’s license with her correct name.

Noticing her altered state, Officer Hicks asked Egner if she needed to go to the hospital, the report said.

She declined telling the patrolman she was “in pain because she had Cancer,” the report said. Despite having Cancer, she didn’t take any medication, Egner allegedly said.

The two children, who were at a neighbor’s house, became the focus of the investigation at that point.

The 7-year-old and 10-year-old allegedly told Officer Hicks their mother had been “driving recklessly” earlier and told the oldest child she wanted to “kill her,” the report said. The children didn’t want to return home.

Egner allegedly wasn’t feeding the children leaving them to take to care of themselves, according  to the report.

The children described their mother “holding a knife and acting strangely,” talking to inanimate objects and telling people she had Cancer when she didn’t.

Police returned to Egner’s home after this. She appeared “under the influence of a substance,” the report said.

Nevertheless, Egner spoke to police allegedly revealing she had used Methamphetamines, and driven at a high rate of speed with the children in the car.

Egner is charged with attempted child abuse/ neglect in a child under 8 years of age, child abuse/ neglect and reckless endangerment.

She is scheduled to appear in court today.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 6/26/2025-6AM)