Egner indicted on abuse charges

LAFOLLETTE, TN. (WLAF)- Daphne Egner is facing a three count indictment after the Campbell County Grand Jury met last week.

Egner, South 13th Street, LaFollette was indicted on charges of child abuse/ neglect/endangerment eight years of less- health/ welfare, child abuse/neglect/endangerment and reckless endangerment- vehicle/ felony. See a related story HERE.

The charges stem from an incident in June 2025 when LaFollette Police were called to her home.

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 the home, and she allegedly gave him a false name. She then gave him a Kentucky driver’s license with her correct name.

Noticing her altered state, 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. Despite having Cancer, she didn’t take any medication, Egner allegedly told police.

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 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, court records said.

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, according to court records

Egner is scheduled to appear in court in May. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 4/22/2026-6AM)