Third Suspect Charged in Paragould Child Abuse Case Involving Nine Children

PARAGOULD, Ark. — A disturbing case of alleged abuse involving nine children has led to charges being filed against a new defendant.

Shyawnda D. Harris, of Paragould, is facing five counts of permitting the abuse of a minor, a Class D felony, and nine counts of failure to report by a mandated reporter, a Class A misdemeanor.

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The probable cause affidavit alleges Shyawnda is an adult who lived in the home occupied by Michael A. Harris, 32, and Beatrice D. Russ, 29, both of whom are facing charges after nine children were removed from the home. Shywanda is required by law to report child abuse that she observes, the affidavit said.

Between Dec. 19, 2024, and Dec. 22, 2024, the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline received two separate reports regarding nine children in Paragould between the ages of 1 and 12 not being in school, not receiving medical treatment, and not having adequate food. One of the reports alleged the parents avidly smoked marijuana.

Between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, 2025, all nine children were seen by the Arkansas Children’s Hospital after being removed by DCFS. All nine were determined by the hospital’s Team for Children At Risk to be at risk for further neglect. Six of the nine children were diagnosed with child physical neglect. Five of the children were diagnosed with severe malnutrition. One was diagnosed with moderate malnutrition. Three were admitted to the hospital for severe protein-calorie malnutrition.

The affidavit states that the children told hospital staff and investigators that they were often only given white rice to eat. The report said they hadn’t attended school or been to the doctor or dentist since at least March 2024.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.