The Independence County Sheriff’s Department has filed charges against a local woman accusing her of second-degree domestic battery of a minor under the age of 12.
The court information says on July 17, 2019, a man reported to the sheriff’s office that his daughter had a visible injury sustained while in the care of the child’s mother, who is divorced from the male individual. The court documents note the child had various bruising and a small laceration to the forehead and was treated at White River Medical Center.
The father told authorities he spoke with the child’s mother, identified as Katie Jo Moser, 26, and Moser said to him the child was injured falling off the porch. The court record said the child was interviewed by officials and stated she had not fallen off the porch, but had been accused by her mother (Moser) for answering the mother’s cell phone which resulted in “…her mother grabbing her by her shirt, grasping her hair on both sides of the head and banging her head on the floor.” The child also said Moser sat on the child’s stomach and pinned her down to the floor, according to the affidavit of probable cause for arrest.
The court information said Moser, during an interview with a department detective, denied ever telling the ex-husband that the child had fallen off the porch, resulting in the injury. She explained that the child walked into a post on the front porch of their home, and that had caused the head laceration.
The sheriff’s department said the Department of Human Services was also called in to investigate the incident.
In addition to felony domestic battery, the sheriff’s department is requesting Moser be tried as a habitual offender, having previously been convicted of four or more other felonies not related to this case.
Her bond was set at $20,000.
Get up-to-date local and regional news along with the latest sports and weather every weekday morning by listening to Gary B. and Ozark Newsline on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also broadcast weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and 99.5 Hits Now. If you have a news tip or event to promote, email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow White River Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
