Muskogee County child abuse suspect bound over for trial

A Muskogee County woman charged with child abuse was back in court Tuesday. <br/><br/>Melanie Smith preliminary hearing wrapped up Tuesday and a judge ruled there is enough evidence to send her to trial.

Tuesday, January 17th 2006, 4:44 pm

By: News On 6

A Muskogee County woman charged with child abuse was back in court Tuesday.

Melanie Smith preliminary hearing wrapped up Tuesday and a judge ruled there is enough evidence to send her to trial. She is accused of severly beating her 4 year son at a Braggs mobile home, including handcuffing him and starving him for most of his life.

Defense attorneys wanted to call the 4 year old boy to the witness stand, but that didn't happen because prosecutors argued it wasn't in the well-being of the child.

Smith goes back to court in February. Her husband, Roy Smith is also charged in the case.