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Judge orders counseling
for woman accused of beating daughter in parking lot
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - A woman
caught on videotape beating her 4-year-old daughter must undergo counseling
and take classes in parenting and rage control before she can regain custody
of the child, a judge ordered yesterday. Probate
Judge Peter Nemeth also ordered Madelyne Toogood to maintain stable housing,
maintain consistent contact with the state Office of Family and Children
and visit her daughter, Martha, regularly. She also must complete a parenting
assessment. Toogood,
25, and her husband, John Toogood, 29, belong to a nomadic group called
the Irish Travelers. They have been living in Mishawaka for about six
months. John
Toogood was ordered to maintain stable employment, stable housing and
to complete a parenting assessment and follow its recommendations. The
Toogoods wouldn't comment yesterday outside court but agreed to the stipulations.
If they meet the court's demands they likely will be reunited with their
daughter in six months to a year. The
girl is now living with her maternal grandmother. Madelyne
Toogood surrendered to police last month after a surveillance camera videotape
from a Mishawaka department store was played on newscasts around the nation
showing her repeatedly hitting and shaking her child. A trial has not yet been scheduled for her on charges of battery to a child and lying to police about her address. She is free on $7,000 bail.
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