Pennington woman accused of abusing girl, who said she was dragged by hair and repeatedly beaten

BEMIDJI – A 24-year-old Pennington woman has pleaded not guilty to a felony assault charge stemming from allegations that she has abused a young girl.

Deanna Antonia Beaudreau has pleaded not guilty to third-degree assault, past pattern of abuse. She entered the plea Monday before Beltrami County District Judge Shari Schluchter. Her next court date was set for Nov. 13. She posted a non-cash bond in September.

According to the criminal complaint, Beaudreau is accused of repeatedly injuring a 10-year-old girl. The child reported in March that Beaudreau repeatedly slapped, kicked and punched her and would spit in her face. She also reported that Beaudreau would drag her around by her hair and wrap it around her finger, pulling it out from her scalp.

Photographs were taken of the girl’s injuries, according to the complaint.

Court papers also state:

When police asked Beaudreau about the girl’s facial injuries, she initially said the child hit her face on the bathroom door. When the photographs were presented to her, she then changed her story, saying that the girl had caused the injuries to herself after Beaudreau ordered her to remove some eyeliner.

Beaudreau admitted that, on two occasions, she grabbed a handful of the child’s hair from her head and pulled it.

Two witnesses reported to police that they saw Beaudreau pull the girl’s hair. They also reported the girl told them or others that Beaudreau was hitting her.