Accused Woman's Attorney Portrays Her As Protector, Not Abuser

Wednesday, June 6th 2007, 7:43 am

By: News On 6

SALLISAW, Okla. (AP) _ The attorney for a woman charged with felony child abuse of her grand-nephew says she was trying to protect the boy from his mother. The now 6-year-old boy weighed only about 25 pounds when he was taken from the home of his great-aunt _ Sharon Smith of Braggs. Investigators say the boy's hands and feet had been handcuffed and he was rarely fed or bathed.

Smith is now on trial in Sequoyah County District Court but her attorney says the child's condition was the state's fault because the Department of Human Services failed to protect him from his mother.

The mother is now serving 16 years in prison after being convicted of permitting child abuse and neglect.

Prosecutors say the boy lived mostly at Sharon Smith's house and was handcuffed, only allowed to eat noodles, and was spanked for sneaking into the refrigerator for what he called ``mush.''

The trial continues Wednesday and could go to the jury later Wednesday or Thursday.

Related stories:

11/22/2005 - Court Hearing Held In A Muskogee County Child Abuse Case

2/24/2006 - Judge Rules Against Bail For Woman Accused Of Abusing Son

11/6/2006 - A Muskogee County Child Abuse Case Isn't Over Despite A Jury Conviction

3/25/2007 - Abuse Suspect Heads To Court

6/5/2007 - Abused Boy Testifies Against Great Aunt