TULLYTOWN, PA - A mother is accused of knocking her small child unconscious while shopping at a Walmart after repeatedly "slamming" the boy into and out of a shopping cart in front of several people.
The woman, identified as Samantha Fletcher, is currently facing one count each of aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, and simple assault in connection with the alleged incident, Law & Crime reported.
On March 14, officers responded to a request for a welfare check on a small child at the Walmart located in the 100 block of Levittown Parkway, according to a news release from Tullytown Borough Police.
Upon arriving at the scene, police spoke with a witness who reported seeing a woman acting belligerently while shopping with her kids.
"He observed a female appearing to be under the influence, screaming profanities at two small children and dragging the one child around the floor by a backpack leash while he was crying hysterically," the release said. "The witness stated the female picked up the child and dropped him into a shopping cart, causing him to hit his head. At some point, the child lost consciousness."
A little while later, officers located the woman, later identified as Fletcher, inside the store. They said she was "holding the unconscious child in her arms" at the time. Emergency medical personnel at the scene examined the victim and determined the child required "immediate medical attention."
Investigators said they ultimately determined Fletcher was responsible for the injuries observed on the child. She was taken into custody without incident and later arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Terrence P. Hughes. The judge ordered Fletcher to remain in custody at the Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of a $10,000 bond.
According to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by Phillyburbs.com, a shopper who approached Fletcher asked if she needed help with the crying boy. Fletcher allegedly told the woman that she could try. The witness said the child briefly calmed down when picked up, resting his head on the woman's shoulder.
Investigators allege that Fletcher then escalated her actions, handling the child in a violent manner. At some point, Fletcher repeatedly "slammed" the boy in and out of the shopping cart, doing so at least five times. During one instance, the child struck his head on the cart, losing consciousness soon after, court documents state.
When police arrived, they found the boy unresponsive in Fletcher's arms, while another child was asleep in the cart. Medics were unable to wake the boy, who had large bruises on his forehead, according to the affidavit.
The child was transported via ambulance to a nearby hospital, where a CT scan reportedly revealed he had suffered a serious concussion. Authorities contacted child protective services, and the children were later released to their father. Fletcher is scheduled to appear in court on April 24.
The woman, identified as Samantha Fletcher, is currently facing one count each of aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, and simple assault in connection with the alleged incident, Law & Crime reported.
On March 14, officers responded to a request for a welfare check on a small child at the Walmart located in the 100 block of Levittown Parkway, according to a news release from Tullytown Borough Police.
Upon arriving at the scene, police spoke with a witness who reported seeing a woman acting belligerently while shopping with her kids.
"He observed a female appearing to be under the influence, screaming profanities at two small children and dragging the one child around the floor by a backpack leash while he was crying hysterically," the release said. "The witness stated the female picked up the child and dropped him into a shopping cart, causing him to hit his head. At some point, the child lost consciousness."
A little while later, officers located the woman, later identified as Fletcher, inside the store. They said she was "holding the unconscious child in her arms" at the time. Emergency medical personnel at the scene examined the victim and determined the child required "immediate medical attention."
Investigators said they ultimately determined Fletcher was responsible for the injuries observed on the child. She was taken into custody without incident and later arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Terrence P. Hughes. The judge ordered Fletcher to remain in custody at the Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of a $10,000 bond.
According to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by Phillyburbs.com, a shopper who approached Fletcher asked if she needed help with the crying boy. Fletcher allegedly told the woman that she could try. The witness said the child briefly calmed down when picked up, resting his head on the woman's shoulder.
Investigators allege that Fletcher then escalated her actions, handling the child in a violent manner. At some point, Fletcher repeatedly "slammed" the boy in and out of the shopping cart, doing so at least five times. During one instance, the child struck his head on the cart, losing consciousness soon after, court documents state.
When police arrived, they found the boy unresponsive in Fletcher's arms, while another child was asleep in the cart. Medics were unable to wake the boy, who had large bruises on his forehead, according to the affidavit.
The child was transported via ambulance to a nearby hospital, where a CT scan reportedly revealed he had suffered a serious concussion. Authorities contacted child protective services, and the children were later released to their father. Fletcher is scheduled to appear in court on April 24.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments