Jury deliberation began a short time ago in a case where a Rogers mother is accused of shaking and injuring her 4-month-old son.
Lena Aileen Swayze, 21, is charged with battery in the first degree, a Class Y felony, which is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 40 years or life imprisonment.
Rogers police arrested her on Oct. 12, 2011.
The 4-month-old old was brought to St. Mary's Hospital in Rogers on Oct. 3, 2011 and later airlifted to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock. The child was diagnosed with brain injuries.
Prosecutors presented testimony that the child's injuries were the result of being shaken. They also presented testimony from witnesses who claimed they saw Swayze shake her son and then throw him on the mattress.
Tasha Heath claimed that she and her boyfriend were staying in the same hotel room with Swayze and Heath's brother, who was dating Swayze. Heath claimed that Swayze had worked a double shift and returned to the hotel.
Prosecutors also presented testimony concerning Swayze's behavior while her son was hospitalized. Nurses made notes during the child's hospital stay that Swayze was playing video games and did not seem to be involved in her son's care.
Heath testified Tuesday afternoon that a frustrated Swayze picked her son up and slammed him on the mattress. She claimed that Swayze was yelling at her son and threatened to throw him through a wall.
Swayze took the stand Tuesday morning and denied shaking her son.
"Did you ever shake your son?" David Hogue, one of her attorneys, asked her.
"No I did not," Swayze said. "I did not shake my baby."
"Did you ever throw your baby down?" Hogue asked.
"No," she replied.
Jurors heard closing statements and Circuit Judge Brad Karren sent the panel to lunch. The judge wanted the panel to have lunch and then return to the courtroom at 1:30 p.m. and begin deliberations.