Mother Pleads Guilty in Infant Battery Case, Placed on Three Years’ Probation

JONESBORO, Ark. — A mother accused of causing serious injuries to her 6-month-old child pleaded guilty to second-degree battery and was placed on three years of probation.

Ryanne Elizabeth Foster entered a guilty plea on June 15, 2026. She was placed on 36 months of probation, with conditions that include a no-contact requirement and obtaining a GED.

The prosecutor recommended that Foster’s probation proceed under Arkansas’ first-offender provisions, Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 16-93-301 et seq.

Under the terms outlined in the court filing, Foster can be discharged without an adjudication of guilt if she fulfills the conditions of her probation or is released early by the court. The court would then enter an order dismissing the case and sealing the record, provided she is eligible under Arkansas’ record-sealing laws.

She must pay fines and fees totaling $640 in monthly installments of $75.

If her probation is revoked, she could face up to six years in prison and up to a $9,800 fine.

A source in the prosecutor’s office said the defendant suffered severe Post Partum Depression that factored into the plea agreement decision. She also had no criminal history.

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The case began July 10, when Sgt. Bill Brown of the Jonesboro Police Department received a report involving a 6-month-old boy who had been taken to the St. Bernards emergency room and later transferred to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Brown initially interviewed both parents, but neither offered an explanation for the child’s injuries. The affidavit said the child’s seizures appeared to happen when the father was away from the home.

A doctor reported that the baby had bleeding on both sides of the brain, small bruises on the front and back of the brain, a fractured humerus, and a possible fractured femur. Doctors also found fractures that were already healing.

The doctor told police that the injuries could only have resulted from a serious automobile accident or physical abuse, according to the affidavit. No automobile accident involving the child had been reported.

Brown later attempted to interview the parents again. He spoke with Foster by phone but was unable to reach the couple afterward.

The father spoke with Brown during a second interview Nov. 2, 2024. He apologized for the delay and said he had since moved away from Foster.

According to the affidavit, the father said each of the child’s injuries occurred when he was not present. He said he had difficulty suspecting Foster but was concerned the child could eventually be killed.

The father also told police that the baby appeared happy when he held him, but cried when Foster did. He alleged that Foster referred to the child as a “sack of flour” and a “potato” and appeared to have a stronger emotional connection with the family’s dog.

Foster, who was 19 at the time, was arrested Nov. 4 on a charge of second-degree battery, a Class D felony. Bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety.