Woman pleads not guilty in injury of grandson

By Tracy M. Neal Staff Writer tracyn@nwanews.com
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.