An argument over child care resulted in a young woman and her child’s father being stabbed by the woman’s mother.

The case began as a 911 hang-up call that came in to the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department at about 3:30 p.m. Monday. Deputies went to 1637 U.S. 11 S., in Nicholson to find out what was going on. Law enforcement personnel respond to homes when a 911 call involves a hang-up for safety reasons.

The deputy arrived at the home and spoke with 23 year-old Heather Terrell, who lives at that address, said Chief Investigator Donnie Saucier.

The deputy learned of an argument between three people concerning the care of Terrell’s child while speaking with Terrell. The argument apparently was between Terrell, her mother, who was identified as 48 year-old Debra Terrell, and the father of Heather Terrell’s baby, 24 year-old Timothy Givens, no address given. 

At some point during the argument, Debra Terrell apparently picked up a knife and stabbed Givens in the back and Heather Terrell in the knee.

Initially deputies believed that Debra Terrell was no longer on scene since Heather Terrell told them that Debra terrell had run off. Eventually, she came out of the bedroom and was placed under arrest.

Saucier said Givens was not at the home when deputies arrived. He had been transported in a private vehicle to Highland Community Hospital from which he was later airlifted to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. Givens was last listed in stable condition.

Heather Terrell’s knee injury was described as superficial. She refused medical treatment, Saucier said.

Debra Terrell will be charged with simple assault-domestic violence for assaulting her daughter and also will face a charge of aggravated assault for the attack on Givens.

Investigation into the case shows the assault began as part of an argument over the care of Heather Terrell’s and Given’s child. Saucier declined to elaborate on the details of the argument.