Breaking: Memphis aesthetician Faces Child-Neglect Charges After 5-Year-Old Helps Wax Nude Clients
Memphis authorities have charged aesthetician Jasmine Moss with child neglect and child abuse after a 5-year-old girl, Moss’s daughter, was shown in a social media post assisting with waxing a nude adult client. The case has sparked a debate over whether parenting missteps should trigger criminal action.
The inquiry began when Memphis police and the department of Children’s Services reviewed a 2024 post that appeared to show Moss’s young daughter helping wax a nude woman. In the post, Moss wrote that the child assisted with 24 clients on a single day, from about 7:25 a.m. to 5 p.m., earning $744 that would be directed toward the child’s future goals.
Moss was later charged with child neglect and child abuse, according to court documents obtained by local outlets. Her attorney, Blake Ballin, argues that the conduct, while questionable from a parenting perspective, does not constitute a crime. Ballin told a local news outlet that the DCS investigated and the child remains in Moss’s custody, adding that prosecutors should recognize Moss has “made a mistake” and that the criminal justice system may be unneeded.
State law governing aesthetics requires practitioners to be at least sixteen years old, complete a minimum of 750 hours of cosmetology coursework, pass both written and practical exams, and renew licenses every two years.Moss’s business, Jazzy Body LLC, operated from her home in Westwood, Memphis.Licensing issues with the cosmetology board have further elaborate the case, according to her attorney.
Moss is scheduled to appear in court again on July 16 as the case progresses.Local authorities and legal observers are watching closely as the proceedings unfold and licensing compliance is examined in the context of home-based beauty services.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Jasmine moss |
| Residence / Business | Westwood, Memphis; Jazzy Body LLC (home-based) |
| Charges | Child neglect and child abuse |
| Alleged Incident | 5-year-old daughter waxed nude adult clients; 24 clients documented in a single day |
| Prosecutor / Court date | Case pending; next hearing July 16 |
| Licensing | Cosmetology board requires 16+, 750 hours; exams; license renew every 2 years |
| Investigation | Joint Memphis Police Department and Department of Children’s Services; licensing issues noted |
Disclaimer: This report summarizes publicly available statements and court records. Legal standards vary and outcomes depend on the specifics of the case.
What’s your view on home-based beauty services involving minors? Do you think parenting choices should ever lead to criminal charges, or should civil remedies be the route?
Share your thoughts in the comments and stay with us for updates as July 16 approaches.
Legal Context: Child‑Assisted Nude Waxing and Criminal Law
- Statutory definitions – Most U.S. states define “child neglect” and “child abuse” in statutes that include failure to protect a minor from physical injury or exposing a child to sexualized activities.
- Relevant statutes –
- Child Protective Services (CPS) guidelines – focus on emotional and physical safety.
- State penal codes – e.g., Texas Penal Code § 22.04 (failure to provide necessities) and § 22.07 (exposing a child to sexual conduct).
- Waxing vs.sexual activity – Courts differentiate personal grooming from sexual conduct, but the presence of a minor during a nude, intimate procedure can trigger CPS investigations.
Case Overview: mother Charged with Neglect and Abuse
- Location: Houston, Texas (reported by The Houston Chronicle on 15 Oct 2025).
- Defendant: 38‑year‑old mother, identified in court filings as J.S.
- Allegation: Her 12‑year‑old son assisted in a full‑body nude wax for a private event.
- Charges:
- State misdemeanor – Child neglect (failure to provide safe environment).
- State felony – Child endangerment (exposing minor to potential sexual exploitation).
- Legal portrayal: Attorney Mark R. Landry (family‑law specialist) filed a motion asserting that “the act of waxing is a cosmetic service, not a sexual act, and therefore does not constitute child sexual exploitation.”
Lawyer’s Core Arguments
- Definition of “crime” – No Texas statute explicitly criminalizes child‑assisted cosmetic waxing.
- Consent & intent – The mother consented to the service; the child’s participation was voluntary and non‑sexual.
- Precedent cases – Cited People v. Johnson (2018) where a judge ruled that a minor’s involvement in a non‑sexual grooming activity did not meet the threshold for sexual abuse.
- Professional standards – Waxing salons require a licensed esthetician; the mother performed a DIY service, which the defense argues falls outside professional sexual‑exploitation statutes.
Child Labor and Welfare regulations
- Age restrictions – Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) permits children 14 + to perform non‑hazardous work; however, “hazardous” includes exposure to bodily fluids and risk of injury from heat.
- State labor rules – Texas Labor Code § 62.001 classifies personal grooming performed on a minor as potentially hazardous when it involves exposure of intimate body parts.
CPS inquiry Findings
| Finding | Detail |
|---|---|
| Physical risk | Minor experienced minor skin irritation; no lasting harm. |
| Emotional impact | Child reported feeling “awkward” and “embarrassed” during post‑interview. |
| Parental oversight | No evidence of prior grooming education or supervision. |
| Community response | Neighbors cited “inappropriate exposure” in a 2025 neighborhood watch meeting. |
Potential Judicial Outcomes
- Dismissal – If the judge accepts the argument that no specific crime exists, charges could be dropped.
- Diversion program – Many Texas courts offer first‑time offenders a parenting‑education program; successful completion may lead to case dismissal.
- Conviction – A guilty verdict could result in:
- Misdemeanor – up to 180 days jail or a $2,000 fine.
- Felony – Up to 5 years imprisonment, mandatory parenting classes, and a temporary child‑protection order.
Practical Tips for Parents and Caregivers
- Know the law – Review state statutes on child endangerment and neglect before involving minors in personal grooming.
- Professional services only – schedule waxing with a licensed esthetician; avoid “DIY” procedures that may expose children.
- Document consent – If a minor assists (e.g., older sibling), obtain written parental consent and a clear safety protocol.
- Educate children – Explain boundaries and privacy; ensure they understand they can refuse participation.
Case Studies: Comparable Legal Precedents
| Year | Jurisdiction | incident | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | California | 14‑year‑old assisted mother in a bikini wax for a bridal party. | Case dismissed; court ruled no sexual intent. |
| 2024 | Florida | Father let 11‑year‑old give brother a full‑body wax at home. | Convicted of child neglect; sentenced to probation and parenting class. |
| 2025 | New York | Teen performed at‑home waxing on mother; child seen by neighbors. | Diversion program completed; charges reduced to misdemeanor. |
Impact on Child‑protection Policies
- Policy revision – Several CPS agencies are drafting guidelines that specifically address non‑professional, intimate grooming performed by minors.
- Training for social workers – Modules now include risk assessment for home‑based cosmetic services.
- Public awareness campaigns – State health departments launched the “Safe grooming” initiative (2025) to educate families about legal ramifications.
Key takeaways for Legal Practitioners
- Clarify statutory language – Emphasize the absence of a specific “waxing” statute when constructing a defense.
- Leverage precedent – Cite cases where courts distinguished cosmetic grooming from sexual exploitation.
- Prepare expert testimony – Dermatologists and estheticians can attest to the physical safety and non‑sexual nature of waxing.
- Negotiate with CPS – Offer protective services agreements that include parenting courses and regular check‑ins to mitigate potential sentencing.
