Child Abuse

A mother's trip to the emergency room with her infant daughter results in charges. Twenty-five ye...  More »

A mother's trip to the emergency room with her infant daughter results in charges. Twenty-five year old Jennifer White Lightning is charged with child abuse and neglect for shaking her two month old daughter. The incident took place on November twelfth...White Lightning did not take her daughter to the emergency room until November eighteenth. Burleigh County Assistant States Attorney Lloyd Suhr says she only decided to take her daughter to the emergency room because the baby was sleeping more often. (Lloyd Suhr/ Burleigh Co. Asst. States Attorney) "The child was subsequently admitted to the hospital and examined. I dont have the specifics on teh current condition of the child other than that the baby is in the custody of or in the care of social services at this time. The defendent apparantly stated that she shook the child because she was stressed because she wanted to drink." White Lightning was released from jail with the condition she will appear for all court hearings. In addition, she cannot have alcohol and is required to take part in the 24-7 program...she will be checked twice a day to make sure she is not drinking. White Lightning's next court appearance will be for a preliminary hearing. The infant daughter is now in the custody of Burleigh County Social Services.  « Less