Woman Pleads Not Guilty In Injury Of Grandson

Woman pleads not guilty in injury of grandson By Tracy M. Neal Staff Writer [email protected] Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 URL: http://www.nwanews.com/story.php?paper=bcdr&storyid=24616

BENTONVILLE — A Bentonville woman pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge that she injured her 3-month-old grandson. Mona Faye White, 39, is charged with domestic battery in the third degree. Her attorney, Brad Karren, entered the not-guilty plea through paperwork. White’s jury trial is scheduled for Dec. 13. An omnibus hearing in the case is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 17. She was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery in the third degree, but as a result of two prior domestic-abuse convictions, the charge is a class D felony, which is punishable with up to six years in prison. According to court documents, the child was injured June 26. A witness reported seeing White abuse her grandson. The witness claimed White did not burp the infant properly, and the baby began crying. White picked the baby up with one arm while holding a beer in the other hand. The baby continued to cry, and White violently shook the baby, court documents show. Bentonville Police Chief James Allen previously said the baby did not suffer any major injuries, but did have seizures. White was arrested July 19. She was released several days later from the Benton County Jail after posting a $20,000 bond. What is shaken-baby syndrome? According to information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, shaken-baby syndrome is a severe head injury that occurs when a baby is shaken forcibly enough to cause the baby’s brain to bounce against the skull. The injury may cause bruising, swelling and bleeding of the brain, which may lead to permanent, severe brain damage or death. Symptoms include changes in behavior, irritability, lethargy, loss of consciousness, pale or bluish skin, vomiting and convulsions.