McAlester Couple Convicted Of Child Abuse And Neglect

A McAlester couple is awaiting sentencing after a federal jury finds them guilty of abusing and neglecting a child.

Billy Menees and Ashley Schardein didn't give the child enough food or access to a bathroom.

Evidence also showed they beat the victim with a paddle, belt, and bar of soap in a sock over a 16-month period starting in January of 2019.

Investigators said the abuse continued after the victim was taken out of school in October of 2019.

The couple was arrested in May of 2020 when a welfare check found the child with a shaved head and bruises.