PARIS – A 42-year-old woman accused of assaulting a child in the parking lot of Stephens Memorial Hospital pleaded no contest Monday to reckless conduct and endangering the welfare of a child.

Deborah Sande of 52 Meadowbrook Drive in Norway received concurrent six-month suspended sentences on both counts and was ordered to get treatment during a two-year probation.

Five witnesses told police they saw Sande screaming at the child at 12:30 p.m. May 7 to go into the hospital. Sande was sitting in the driver’s seat of her 1992 Ford Explorer, and the child was standing outside looking in her window.

The witnesses said the child didn’t know where to go and communicated that, and, “They saw Deborah slap (the child) across the face,” according to an affidavit by Norway police Sgt. Warren Ellsworth.

The witnesses said Sande kept screaming as the child was crying. She swung open the door, grabbed the child by the neck with one arm and opened the back door with the other and shoved the child into the back seat of the Explorer, Ellsworth said.

The witnesses said Sande then started punching the child with closed fists. The child started screaming, and the witnesses called 911, Ellsworth said.

Sande then got back into the driver’s seat and prepared to drive away. Meanwhile, the child slid out and stood by her open window, trying to talk to her. Sande put the car in gear and started to drive away with the child still holding onto the window, the officer said.

Witnesses said she dragged the child for several dozen yards through the parking lot before the child fell off the car and rolled on the ground. The witnesses called PACE ambulance.

As police sirens became audible, Sande jumped out of the car, grabbed the child by the head and neck and shoved the child into the passenger’s side of the front seat, Ellsworth’s affidavit said.

She ran back and jumped into the driver’s side and started to drive away as the child’s feet and legs were still hanging out the open passenger’s side door, Ellsworth said.

Norway Sgt. Rob Federico then pulled in front of Sande, forcing her to stop.

Sande was arrested and released on $3,250 secured bail with the stipulation to have no contact with the child, according to officials. The Department of Human Services took custody of the child.

ggeraghty@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link