A local woman was arrested Wednesday morning on a felony warrant for the alleged battery of a 10-year-old girl in 2021 during what the girl described as "whoopins" that occurred regularly.
Jasmine Annamae Scott, 28, who lists a Spring Street address, was taken into custody at her residence shortly after 10 a.m. on the felony warrant for second-degree domestic battery, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and two misdemeanor warrants for failure to appear.
Scott remained in custody Thursday in lieu of a $5,500 bond and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court.
According to court records, she lists no prior felony history, but pleaded guilty Jan. 9, 2017, to a misdemeanor count of second-degree criminal mischief and on June 3, 2019, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor third-degree domestic battery and was sentenced to six months' supervised probation each time.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Sept. 29, 2021, two juveniles, ages 10 and 4, were interviewed at the Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center and both reported that Scott had struck the 1o-year-old juvenile with several items causing physical injury. The affidavit did not indicate the relationship of Scott to the juvenile.
The juvenile reportedly stated that about five days earlier Scott had used a belt to hit her, causing injury to her right forearm near the elbow. Two days later, on Sept. 26, Scott allegedly struck the girl with an extension cord, causing injury to her left forearm near the elbow, the top of both of her thighs, the left side of her torso, and left side of her back.
The girl stated the manner in which the injuries occurred was referred to as "whoopins" and occurred regularly. Several incidents were described which included one where the girl was struck in the face with "a switch."
The 4-year-old was interviewed and reported seeing Scott hit the girl on several instances and saw the injuries after she was hit. The witness reported that Scott gave the girl "a lot of whoopins."
Hot Springs police investigating the case reportedly observed several injuries on the girl near the areas described in the form of bruising, and discolored abrasions which were "raised from the skin." Many of the injuries were consistent with size and shape, "supporting the reported item that were used," the affidavit states.
On Sept. 29, 2021, around 7 p.m., Scott was questioned and reportedly admitted to previously striking the girl with a "switch," she described as a stick of wood, and with a "slipper-type shoe," and a power cord from her school-issued computer. She alleged she used the items to strike the girl on her buttocks.
Scott reportedly described one incident where she "accidentally" struck the girl in the face with a "switch," which caused an injury to her eye in the form of a bruise.
A warrant for Scott's arrest was reportedly issued on Sept. 6, 2024, based on an affidavit prepared on March 27.