Shaniqua Gibson (Raleigh County Sheriff”s Office).
A mother from West Virginia has been arrested after allegedly throwing her baby onto the floor following a night of conflict, according to state authorities.
Shaniqua Gibson, 34, faces charges of child neglect posing a risk of death or injury, as indicated by records from the Raleigh County jail.
The incident reportedly unfolded in the early hours of December 21, as detailed by the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office.
Around 3 a.m., deputies responded to a report of child abuse and neglect, as noted by a local West Virginia news source, Lootpress.
Upon reaching the specified location, officers engaged with the complainant, who appeared to be the child’s father. He recounted that during a gathering with friends, Gibson became involved in a physical fight with another woman, according to the sheriff’s office.
The altercation reportedly escalated with the women pulling each other’s hair and allegedly attempting to cause serious harm, with the father attributing the violent turn of events to Gibson.
As the fight went on, the man intervened, broke things up, and then convinced both women to leave his residence, authorities say.
But that was not quite the end.
The man said Gibson returned later that same night and another confrontation soon occurred in the driveway. The man surmised that an all-day-long bad mood – allegedly exhibited by Gibson – was, at least in part, responsible for what eventually happened, deputies said.
Later still, the man went upstairs and found his 1-year-old child crying. That was apparently too much for the defendant, who allegedly grabbed the infant, slammed the baby down onto the floor, and held them there face down, according to law enforcement.
The child had visible abrasions on their nose, which was consistent with the account provided by the man, the sheriff’s office said.
The man also said the couple’s 4-year-old daughter witnessed the attack on the infant.
In the presence of law enforcement, the girl allegedly sat up in bed and confirmed: “Mommy did it.”
The investigation is said to be ongoing.
No bail or court information is available as of this writing.
