Sheriff's office: Investigation into 18-month-old's 'suspicious injuries' leads to arrest of Arkansas woman

Samantha Sue Laverty
Samantha Sue Laverty

A 20-year-old Arkansas woman was arrested Wednesday after authorities conducted an investigation into the injuries sustained by her infant daughter, authorities said.

According to a news release from the Baxter County sheriff's office, medical professionals at an area hospital alerted the agency Sept. 11 after Samantha Sue Laverty’s 18-month-old daughter came in with “suspicious injuries,” including a broken bone and “numerous areas of bruising.”

The girl was transferred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, where staff said Laverty “gave conflicting accounts of how the injuries occurred,” the release states. Investigators noted that the girl's injuries were not consistent with how the Midway resident said they occurred.

The 18-month-old also had high levels of amphetamines and cannabinoids in her system, authorities said.

Laverty faces charges of second-degree battery and two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor. She was being held Thursday afternoon at the Baxter County jail in lieu of $25,000 bond, records show.

She is set to appear in court Sept. 27.

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