Woman Incompetent For Trial

Erfani-Najafabadi Accused Of Burning Son With Spoon

— A Rogers woman accused of burning her son with a hot spoon isn’t competent to stand trial, according to court documents.

Negin Erfani-Najafabadi, 31, is charged with battery in the second degree. The Class D felony carries up to six years in prison.

She was in court Wednesday for a hearing before Circuit Judge Robin Green. Erfani-Najafabadi was previously ordered to undergo a mental evaluation at the Arkansas State Hospital in Little Rock. She didn’t appear to understand the basis for the evaluation, according to court documents, and was unable to participate in a mental status examination. Her short-term and long-term memory appeared severely impaired, according to the documents.

Erfani-Najafabadi suffered a severe brain injury when she was hit by a truck about 18 months ago, and it’s unlikely she will be restored to competence even with treatment, according to court documents.

Erfani-Najafabadi could be sent back to the State Hospital for more evaluation. That issue and others related to her care will be resolved at a hearing March 14.

The boy is now in a foster home, and Erfani-Najafabadi is cared for by her sister.

Erfani-Najafabadi was arrested June 12 after Rogers police received a report she had punished her 8-year-old son by heating a spoon and placing it on his hands.

Larry Taylor and Keith Eoff, Rogers Police Department detectives, went to Erfani-Najafabadi’s home to speak with her, according to court documents. The boy came over to the detectives. Taylor told the child he had heard the boy hurt his hand and asked to see it, according to court documents.

The boy showed Taylor a blister about the size of a quarter on the palm of his right hand, according to an arrest affidavit. The boy also showed Taylor two burn marks on the back of his left hand. The boy told Taylor his mother put a hot spoon on his hands to discipline him for taking a phone. The child said his mother heated the spoon on the stove and then held it against his hands.

Upcoming Events