Charges dropped for Arkansas grandmother accused of beating girl, 12, with switch

Charges have been dropped against an Arkansas woman accused of second-degree domestic battery after disciplining her 12-year-old granddaughter.

In a news release Thursday, the Hot Springs Police Department said further investigation concluded that Norma Jean Toussaint, 70, “did not cause physical injury within the meaning of the criminal code.”

Toussaint was arrested Monday after her granddaughter told police that the woman had used a switch on her as a form of punishment, Arkansas Online previously reported.

The girl said Toussaint got the switch from the grandmother’s back yard and beat her because she had not thrown out food after being instructed to do so. Toussaint told authorities that she punished the girl for talking back.

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