Woman Pleads Not Guilty To Charge

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

— A Springdale woman who was videotaped shaking a child pleaded not guilty to an endangering charge Monday.

Melissa Renee Medema, 27, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, a Class D felony. She entered the plea at her arraignment before Circuit Judge Robin Green.

At A Glance

The Case

Melissa Renee Medema was released from the Benton County Jail after posting a $20,000 bond. Medema could be sentenced up to six years in prison, fined up to $10,000 or both if convicted.

Source: Staff Report

Medema, who was the baby sitter for a 1-year-old child, was arrested Oct. 11.

The case was referred to Springdale police after a report was received from the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline, according to court documents.

A probable cause affidavit states Whitney Matney, the child’s mother, reported she had captured on a “nanny cam” the baby sitter abusing her child. Matney said she had video of the baby sitter shaking her child, according to court documents.

Robert Hendrix, a detective with the Springdale Police Department, met with Matney and viewed the videos, the affidavit states. One video showed the baby sitter picking up the child and spanking her four to six times on the behind, according to court documents.

Another video showed Medema carrying the girl like a football and violently shaking the child from side to side as her head flailed back and forth. The child appeared to be screaming and crying in the video, the affidavit states.

Medema was questioned and was told about the video of her shaking the child. Medema said she was playing with the child, according to court documents.

An omnibus hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 7.