ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
An Anchorage woman charged with child abuse pleaded not guilty Friday. Jessica Beagley did not show up at her arraignment hearing, but defense attorney Pete Ramgren appeared on her behalf.Ramgren says he's never seen this much attention on a misdemeanor case. He says although many people disagree with Beagley’s style of discipline, it doesn't rise to the level of child abuse as specified by municipal statutes.
The charge comes from a video aired on “The Dr. Phil Show” in November, which showed Beagley disciplining her child by putting hot sauce in his mouth and making him take a cold shower.
The child in the video is one of two twin boys Beagley’s family adopted from Russia in 2005.
Russian TV crews were also present to cover the arraignment. A correspondent says Beagley's case was a shock to Russians and is being closely followed, especially after a case last year when an American woman sent her adopted boy back to Moscow.
Contact Christine Kim at ckim@ktuu.com
