A Shongaloo woman was arrested on October 1 following an incident involving a juvenile found walking along U.S. Hwy. 371 in Sarepta, according to the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Jason Parker stated that 50-year-old Melaina Baugh is facing charges of cruelty to a juvenile and failure to report a missing child. She has been booked into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center with bonds totaling $25,000.
Deputy Hannah Baker responded to the Springhill police department, where the juvenile was being held after being picked up on Sunday. The juvenile informed Deputy Baker that his aunt, Baugh, had struck him multiple times with a wooden stick wrapped in duct tape and a wooden back scratcher.
“He reportedly had fingernail marks on his arm from being grabbed repeatedly and aggressively,” Parker said, adding that the youth also had a cut on his head and under his eye, allegedly caused by the strikes, along with fingernail marks behind one ear.
Investigators determined that the juvenile had left the residence on LA Hwy. 615 the night before, but Baugh waited 14 hours before contacting the Sheriff’s Office to report him missing. Investigators have reportedly interviewed witnesses to the alleged abuse. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.