Arkansan charged with endangering her baby

By The Associated Press

PARAGOULD — A Paragould woman has been charged with endangering the welfare of a minor after she took her baby out of a hospital against medical advice.

According to court documents, Sherleen D. Waddell, 36, left Arkansas Medical Center on Oct. 5 with her 2-month-old infant, although a doctor said the child was in critical condition.

A police officer went to the woman's home and found Waddell with her child and intravenous tubes still stuck on the baby. Waddell told the officer she cut the baby's clothes off, packed her bags and unhooked the IV, according to court documents.

After talking with the officer, she returned the child to the hospital. The baby was later transported to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.

A judge has ordered Waddell to have no contact with her child, unless supervised by state Human Services Department workers. Her trial date was scheduled for March 16.

For more information see Monday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.