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Woman arrested, accused of battery on her child

A 40-year-old Linton woman was arrested on April 17 following allegations that she closed-fist struck her daughter in the face, causing her nose to bleed. 

Barbara Pearl Morgan

Barbara Pearl Morgan was arrested at 11:20 p.m. by Linton Police Department Officer Janzen Franklin after Jasonville Police Department Officer/Metropolitan School District of Shakamak School Resource Officer Brian Pilant brought forward a domestic battery situation. Pilant presented at the Linton Police Department in regard to the domestic battery complaint with a photograph of the student who had a bloody nose. She is being charged with domestic battery. 

Franklin and Officer Alan Jackson went to Morgan’s residence to speak with the victim. The victim told the officers that two days prior Morgan said her room was dirty. The victim, according to the probable cause affidavit written by Officer Franklin, said she must have had an attitude because she and Morgan got into a fight. The victim alleged Morgan punched her in the face and caused her nose to bleed. She said as a reflex, she swung back at her. Then, she alleged Morgan laid on top of her and shoved her against a wall. When talking with the victim, Officer Franklin wrote in the probable cause, that she was visibly upset and crying. According to the probable cause, the victim told officers she was afraid to tell anyone at school because she would get in trouble at home, a place where she said she did not feel safe. It was noted that the victim had a mark on her left cheek that she alleged was from Morgan’s ring. 

After talking with the victim, Officer Franklin went to speak with Morgan. She alleged she woke the victim up and told her to clean her room. According to the probable cause, Morgan said she went to “pop” the victim in the mouth but the victim grabbed both of her arms. Morgan alleged the victim was mad, so she pinned her down. When the victim said she had calmed down, Morgan said she got off of her. When asked how the victim received a bloody nose, Morgan told the officer her arm must have hit the victim’s nose when she pinned her down. 

Officer Franklin transported Morgan to the Linton Police Department to speak with her again. According to the probable cause, her statement was consistent with the original statement she provided. Officer Franklin asked her if she thought it was OK to hit someone in the face, to which she allegedly replied, yes for discipline purposes. She alleged she’d only done it a few times. 

Officer Franklin contacted the Department of Child Services. 

She was transported to Greene County Jail where her bond was set at $1,000 surety with 10% allowed. She was released after posting $100. 

She is being charged with domestic battery, a Class A Misdemeanor and will appear in court for an initial hearing on May 1.