Ryanne Foster, 21, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, will not serve any jail time after pleading guilty to severely abusing her 6-month-old infant—injuries so extensive that medical professionals told investigators they would typically result from "a very bad car accident."
Background
Foster appeared in court this week and pleaded guilty to second-degree battery. According to Jonesboro Right Now, she was sentenced to 36 months of probation as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.
The case dates back to July 2024, when officers with the Jonesboro Police Department responded to a call regarding an infant hospitalized with traumatic injuries. The baby had initially been admitted to St. Bernards Hospital but was transferred to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, due to the severity of the child's condition.
Court documents obtained by Law&Crime detail how Foster and her husband explained to investigators that their child had been born prematurely and suffered seizures since returning from the neonatal intensive care unit.
The Investigation
Detectives learned troubling details about Foster's behavior toward her infant during the investigation. According to Jonesboro Right Now, prosecutors said the father reported that Foster did not have an emotional connection with the child and repeatedly referred to the baby as "a potato" and "a sack of flour."
The parents claimed the child's injuries occurred during a seizure episode that ended with the infant falling from a couch. However, police noted in a probable cause affidavit that the couch in question was no higher than Foster's knee.
Medical professionals who treated the child documented devastating findings: "mixed bleeding on the right and left brain, micro-bruising on the front and back brain" along with arm and leg fractures.
Doctors provided investigators with a grim assessment of the infant's injuries. "When I asked the doctor about what could cause injuries like this in a 6-month-old child, I was told that it would have to be a very bad car accident or physical abuse," police wrote.
The Charges
Foster pleaded guilty to second-degree battery. She has been ordered to stay away from her child and must obtain a GED while on probation. If she violates the terms of her plea deal, she faces up to six years in prison, according to Jonesboro Right Now.
During the investigation, Foster's husband told police he had moved out of their home, explaining he feared that if he and the baby remained with Foster, "the infant could wind up dead." The father also said his wife appeared to have a stronger emotional connection to their dog than to their child.
Key Takeaways
- Ryanne Foster, 21, pleaded guilty to second-degree battery in Craighead County for abusing her 6-month-old infant
- She was sentenced to 36 months of probation with no jail time as part of her plea agreement
- Doctors said the baby's brain hemorrhaging and fractures were comparable to injuries from a severe car accident
- Foster allegedly referred to her child as "a potato" and "a sack of flour," showing little emotional attachment
- She must stay away from the child and obtain a GED during probation; violation could result in six years imprisonment
What's Next
Foster will serve her three-year probation term under court supervision. She is prohibited from contact with her child, who remains in the custody of other family members. The case represents a rare glimpse into how prosecutors handle severe child abuse cases where victims survive but suffer life-altering injuries.
Jerry Lambe contributed to this report.
The post Mom who referred to infant as 'a potato' and 'sack of flour' while giving her baby injuries akin to 'a very bad car accident' will not serve any jail time first appeared on Law & Crime.