A Mtn. View woman faces multiple felony charges after allegedly assaulting a 13-year-old and pointing a firearm at the child during a domestic altercation.
Leah A.L. Billingsley, 44, is charged with child abuse or neglect, first-degree child endangerment, unlawful use of a weapon by exhibiting, and armed criminal action.
According to court records, the incident occurred Aug. 27 in Mtn. View. Howell County Deputy Kyle Holloway responded to a report of a teenager causing a disturbance and arrived to find that an argument between Billingsley and the victim had turned physical.
The teen reportedly told Holloway that Billingsley shoved her, struck her in the back multiple times, pulled her hair and dragged her out of bed. The victim reported that Billingsley then pointed a firearm at her and threatened her, leading the teen to believe she was going to be shot.
In a probable cause statement, Holloway said Billingsley admitted to drawing a loaded firearm during the altercation because the youth had become “really violent.” Billingsley stated she ejected the ammunition before pointing it at the victim, but acknowledged she believed the victim did not know the firearm was unloaded at the time.
Court documents show Billingsley was arrested Tuesday with bond set at $50,000, arraigned, and remains in custody as of press time Friday afternoon. Release conditions stipulate she have no contact with the victim or any child younger than 17 years old. She was scheduled to appear Friday before 37th Circuit Associate Judge R. David Ray for a counsel status hearing; no updates were available at press time.
Billingsley is represented by Special Public Defender Elizabeth Satchell of Springfield. The case is being prosecuted by Howell County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Hutchings and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Rizwan Ahad.
