Naylor couple charged with abusing toddler over months

A rural Naylor couple faces charges for the alleged physical abuse of their toddler over a period of several months.

Michael T. Powell, 26, and Mindy D. Powell, 26, are set to go before a judge May 1 for preliminary hearings in the case. The couple was arrested Monday and booked at the Wayne County Jail. Both were released on their own recognizance Tuesday after being arraigned in Ripley County Circuit Court.

Michael Powell is charged with two felony counts of child abuse. Mindy Powell is charged with one count of felony child abuse and one count of first-degree child endangerment.

Mindy Powell

According to a felony complaint filed by prosecutor Edward T. Thompson, between April 23 and November 16 the couple knowingly caused physical injury by ‘pulling, yanking and hitting’ the child.

In a probable cause statement filed with the court, Ripley County deputy Chad Keathley said he was contacted Nov. 16 by the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division after Michael Powell had taken his daughter, then 18 months old, to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for treatment of a head injury.

Powell reported the girl had fallen off a bed and hit her head on a baby swing. The father said he had left her on the bed while letting the dogs outside. He said he found the child screaming and lying on the floor.

Keathley stated that hospital staff discovered the child had a left frontal axle hemorrhage. Following a CAT scan, they reported finding multiple healing fractures of the arms, legs and ribs.

The child was transferred to St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Keathley reported that St. Louis Children’s Hospital medical records indicated the baby was admitted with bleeding beneath the covering of the brain and multiple closed fractures to her ribs, lower leg and arm.

The child was placed with foster parents.

Keathley said a medical affidavit written by Dr. Adrienne Atzemis stated there was ‘reasonable cause the juvenile has been a victim of child maltreatment, abusive head trauma and physical abuse.”

Keathley said Mindy Powell voluntarily came to the sheriff’s office on Nov. 28 and signed a waiver form stating she would speak with law enforcement.

The mother said she did not know how the child received her injuries.

She said over the past few months she and her husband were the only caregivers for the child.

Mindy Powell said her husband cared for the child while she worked during the day. The mother cared for the child while the father worked at night.

Keathley said he went to the Powell’s residence on Dec. 1 and spoke with Mindy Powell. She was asked again if she could think of anyone else the child was around.

“No one else,” she said.

The couple entered not guilty pleas and waived arraignment during Tuesday’s court appearance.