A Warsaw woman accused of beating two children was arraigned in Kosciusko County Superior Court II Friday morning. Sherri Shell, 35, of 866 Pine Mills Road, Warsaw, stood before Judge James Jarrette and asked for a public defender in her case. Shell is charged with two counts of battery to a person less than 14 years of age by a person at least 18 years of age, a Class D felony, for allegedly beating two of her boyfriend’s children. Jarrette agreed to allow Shell to have a public defender. Local attorney Antony Garza was appointed counsel for Shell.Her next appearance in court was set for Nov. 26 at 8:30 a.m. for a pre-trial hearing. Additionally, she was ordered to come back for a status conference Dec. 14. According to the probable cause affidavit, on Aug. 29 a Warsaw Police Department officer was dispatched to Jefferson Elementary School for injuries to two students. The officer met with Child Protective Services caseworker Nicole Nabinger to discuss the incident. Nabinger informed the officer that the school had two students who were absent Aug. 28, but when they came back to school one had bruises and abrasions on her lower and mid back, spine and lower rib cage. The other child had a hematoma with bruising and a small laceration on the left side of his forehead. He had small scratches on the right side of his forehead and was missing a large clump of hair on his forehead as well. The first student told the officer and Nabinger that the injuries were caused when Shell held her down and forced her to eat a hot dog, according to the affidavit. The second student said that his hair fell out after Shell brushed his hair “real hard.” Shell spoke with the officer and allegedly told him she regrets causing injury to her children. Shell said that she gets frustrated when disciplining her children. Shell is currently incarcerated in the Kosciusko County Jail on $2,500 cash only bond.
