Cody Barnes of New Boston was found guilty today by a Bowie County jury of 33 counts in relation to charges for a laundry list of sexual assault of a child and child neglect. Barnes was arrested in September of 2023 on charges that included continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and three counts of indecency with a child by contact. Additional charges were added later that included continuous sexual abuse of a child, prohibited sexual conduct, injury to a child with the intent to cause serious bodily injury and/or mental impairment. The trial was conducted in the 202nd District Court of Judge John Tidwell.
Barnes and his wife, Brittany Barnes were arrested in 2023 after local school officials reported signs of neglect to Child Protective Services. The children were found in the couple’s home that was reported to be infested with rats, lice and bed bugs.
After the children were removed from the home, they then told officials of the sexual abuse. The children at the time ranged in age from eight down to a toddler and infant, according to court records.
The sentencing phase of the trial is scheduled for this afternoon.
Look for a complete story in next week’s issue of the Bowie County Citizens Tribune.
