A $25,000 secured bond was set for a Pine Bluff woman accused of becoming aggressive with a toddler and physically assaulting them.
Pine Bluff District Judge Kim Bridgforth set the bond after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge 25-year-old Shawanda Smith with 2nd Degree Domestic Battery.
Reading from an affidavit, the Prosecuting Attorney said on June 10th, officers were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at 2002 W. 27th St.
Upon arrival, officers observed screaming and a child crying.
It was initially reported that a woman was striking a child in the chest and mouth, making them bleed.
EMS was on standby just in case.
When Smith was detained, she was extremely irate. Officers checked the welfare of the 2-year-old victim, who had a red bruise on their left cheek, a light red bruise on their chest, and redness on the thighs and back of the knees.
The Victim was taken to JRMC for treatment.
Officers then spoke to the victim’s grandmother who states Smith became angry with the child while speaking to the victim before striking them.
Smith pulled the victim’s hair, causing them to run under the bed to attempt to escape.
She continued to strike the victim in a manner accustomed to an adult, and the child kept trying to get away from her.
A separate family member attempted to calm smith down while the victim’s grandmother called 911.
During the Probable Cause Hearing, Judge Bridgeforth asked Smith if she had an attorney to represent her, to which Smith became combative and began using profanities at Judge Bridgforth.
She then began rapping and possibly broke a light while being removed.
She was additionally charged with contempt of court, ordered to have no contact with the victim, and is scheduled to return to court on August 3rd.
