Judge Keith Steckbauer ordered a mental competency evaluation for a mother who reportedly slapped her 10-year-old daughter in the presence of police.
Carmen L. Foster, 31, Waupaca, was charged with felony child abuse, battery of an officer, resisting an officer and disorderly conduct.
Shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday, June 22, Waupaca Police Officer Paul Benzschawel was dispatched to an apartment on Western Avenue. A 911 caller reported that she was concerned for Foster and her children.
When Benzschawel arrived, he spoke to the caller, who is Foster’s neighbor. She said Foster came to her apartment earlier that day and asked for “lemon water.”
When the neighbor said she did not have any lemon water, Foster allegedly “flipped out” and began swearing at her.
According to the criminal complaint, Foster called 911 several times earlier that day, asking for a welfare check because she believed she was having a nervous breakdown.
When Benzschawel spoke with Foster, she apparently did not know the ages of her children and had trouble answering his questions.
Benzschawel reported that Foster said the water on her side of the apartment building was contaminated and she needed water from the other side of the building.
Benzschawel found a 10-year-old girl lying in a bed in the apartment. He asked the girl how long the family had lived in the apartment and she responded, “A few months.”
Foster stared at the girl, then suddenly slapped her across the face and said, “How dare you answer that,” according to the complaint.
Benzschawel then handcuffed Foster, and he and Officer Nathan Nelson began escorting her to a squad car. Foster reportedly began screaming and swearing at the officers. During her struggle to pull away, Foster kicked Nelson, the complaint says.