A Hot Springs woman was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly admitting she was intoxicated when a 10-month-old boy under her care sustained multiple head injuries earlier this year.
Geneva Renee James, 52, who lists a Central Avenue address, was taken into custody at around 9 a.m. Tuesday and charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree, a felony punishable by up to six years in prison.
She remained in custody in lieu of a $2,500 bond and was set for an appearance in Garland County District Court on Wednesday.
According to the probable cause affidavit, James was overseeing the care of a 10-month-old male who came into Arkansas Children's Hospital on Feb. 1 with skull fractures on both sides of his head and an intracranial hemorrhage.
When confronted about the infant's condition, James reportedly told Hot Springs police Detective Kenny May she noticed a "soft spot" on the infant's head and alerted his mother.
Initially, James allegedly stated the "soft spot" was a result of the infant falling off the bed while in her care, but a doctor at Children's Hospital stated in her medical report the injuries were the result of more than one blow to the head.
On Feb. 9, James returned to the police department and allegedly claimed she remembered more about the infant's injuries. In her statement, she reportedly said the infant fell around six to eight times at different points while in her care, each time hitting his head on an end table or the floor.
She told officers she was responsible for his safety each time the infant fell and feels the fact she was drinking alcohol played a role in her inability to supervise him. She reportedly said she believes that had she not been drinking, the infant would not have sustained the injuries.
Local on 11/09/2017