Cushing mother jailed on $1 million bond on child abuse & neglect charges

 STILLWATER — The mother of a nine-month-old baby girl, who had human bite marks all over her body and burns on her hands when she was taken to the Cushing hospital’s emergency room, has been ordered held on $1 million bond on charges of child abuse and child neglect between Aug. 2 and Aug. 3.

   If convicted of both felony counts, Nicole Dawn Beasler, 34, of Cushing, could be given a maximum penalty of two life prison sentences, court records show. She was scheduled to be arraigned by video from the Payne County Jail on Tuesday afternoon.

   Cushing Police Officer David Smith was sent at 1:32 pm on Aug. 3 to the Hillcrest Hospital in Cushing where staff said that Beasler had brought her baby to the emergency room with severe injuries, according to an affidavit filed with the charges by prosecutor Debra Vincent Friday.

   In his affidavit, the Cushing officer alleged, “I observed extensive burns to both of (the baby’s) hands. The burns were so severe that the skin was peeling away, and the swelling had caused both hands to become significantly enlarged and rounded. The baby also had multiple bite marks and bruises with clearly defined teeth impressions, swelling to her face, and a laceration to her side.

   “I contacted Nicole Beasler and asked what had occurred. Nicole initially stated that she did not know and advised she did not want to discuss what had happened or where the injuries had occurred. As I explained the seriousness of the baby’s condition, Nicole stated she could not remember the names of the individuals who had been staying at her residence.

   “She advised that an adult male known only as ‘Kyle,’ an unidentified adult female, and three children identified as 2 years old, 4 years old and 8 years old had been staying at her residence for the previous two nights. Nicole stated they were family friends from Kansas, who had arrived with alcohol.

   “Nicole advised she had been consuming alcohol throughout the previous day and remained awake through the night. She stated she consumed her last alcoholic beverage at approximately 6 am before passing out.

   “After waking, she checked on her baby, discovered her injuries, ordered the individuals to leave the residence, and transported the baby to Hillcrest Hospital Cushing for medical treatment. A short time later, the Cushing Fire Department arrived and transported the baby by ambulance to OU Children’s Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

   “Nicole informed officers that she knew she should not have let these people stay at the residence and should not have drunk. Nicole was located at the DHS office in Stillwater and was detained by Payne County Sheriff’s Office per our request. The Sheriff’s Office transported Nicole to the Payne County Courthouse and had her sit in an interview room while waiting for me to arrive.

   “After I arrived, I made contact with Nicole (and) read her Miranda rights. Nicole advised she understood them and agreed to speak to me. Nicole ultimately changed her story again and advised that she had no idea who these people were that she allowed to come into her residence.

   “Nicole advised she had been doing yard work and observed these people who appeared to be living in their van. Nicole invited them inside and allowed them to stay and sleep in the same room as (her baby) while she slept downstairs.

   “Nicole advised she did not drink and instead had gone to bed around 11 pm and when she woke up around 12:45 pm the next day discovered the baby’s injuries and went to the hospital — and again she reiterated that she should not have allowed them into the residence.

   “At approximately 12:40 pm, based on the totality of the circumstances, I placed Nicole under arrest for child neglect. According to Nicole, she allowed unknown people to stay in her residence, with her child, and later discovered injuries described previously.”