McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Local News

February 7, 2012

Local hotel guests charged with child abuse

McALESTER — A couple that was staying at a local hotel have been arrested and charged with child abuse.

Richard Allen Zaras, 25, of Las Vegas, Nev., and Angel Rene Schmidt, 22, of Mount Morris, Mich., were arrested and charged Thursday in Pittsburg County District Court with child abuse by neglect.

The couple was staying at the Highway Inn Express Hotel on South George Nigh Expressway in McAlester when, according to court records, they got into a physical altercation.

When police arrived on the scene at the hotel, they noticed that the young child “had two knots on his forehead that were showing signs of bruising,” the affidavit states.

Zaras is accused of knocking Schmidt to the floor and striking her head against the wall, while she was holding the young boy. And Schmidt is accused of striking Zaras with her fists while he was holding the young boy, causing all three to fall to the ground.



Contact Rachel Petersen at rpetersen@mcalesternews.com.

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