Senath woman charged with assaulting child with frying pan

SENATH, Mo -- A Senath woman has been charged with first-degree domestic assault, armed criminal action and felony endangering the welfare of a child.

The charges stem from an incident June 2 when Tameca Bryant, 23, hit her two-year-old son in the head with a 12-inch cast iron skillet, said Senath chief of police Omar Karnes.

Bryant reportedly waited until the next day to seek medical attention for the toddler.

The child was treated at Twin River's Regional Medical Center in Kennett, Mo., and Leboheur Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., for a more extensive examination.

At Leboheur, officials say the toddler was diagnosed with a broken left arm, skull fracture on the left side of his head, subdural hematoma on the left side of the brain, bruises and dried blood in his left ear, as well as bruises, welts and marks on his body.

The Senath Police Department was contacted by the Missouri Division of Family Services, which started the month-long investigation involving the police department, Dunklin County Sheriff's Department, Family Services, the Dunklin County Juvenille Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

A warrant was issued for Bryant on Thursday afternoon. She was being held at the Dunklin County Justice Center on a $100,000 bond.

Bryant reportedly has not given a reason for why she hit the child; Karnes said he does not believe drugs or alcohol were involved.

Pertinent address:

Senath, Mo.