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July 26, 2012

RECORDS: One woman in child endangerment case has prior conviction

Haidle's prior conviction involved use of fly swatter on son

By Jeff Lehr jlehr@joplinglobe.com

One of two women accused of failing to provide adequate care to a malnourished 3-year-old girl was arrested in 2004 for leaving bruises on a toddler with a fly swatter.

A probable-cause affidavit on file in Newton County Circuit Court indicates that Christina Haidle was accused of striking her son “with the metal part of a fly swatter” on June 18, 2004, in a trailer court south of Joplin, and leaving bruises on his back and near an eye. The boy was 11/2 years old at the time, according to the document.

Haidle, 27, and Beth Williams, 26, were charged Monday with felony child endangerment of Williams’ daughter who was taken to a hospital July 1 in critical condition and weighing a mere 12 pounds at 3 years of age.  

Lt. Darren Gallup of the Joplin Police Department confirmed Thursday that a 5-year-old son of Haidle was removed from the two women’s residence and was placed in protective custody during the ensuing investigation. The boy removed from the home is four to five years younger than the son who is the subject of the 2004 case.

Haidle pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child endangerment and received a suspended sentence with a requirement that she complete parenting classes in the Newton County case. The court later revoked her probation and assessed her 14 days in jail on the conviction.

Haidle casenet

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