Child abuse charges filed against the wife of an Anchorage police officer arose from the woman's appearance on the "Dr. Phil" show, during which the audience saw a video of her disciplining her child with hot sauce and a cold shower, according to court documents filed this month.
The city's allegation against Jessica Beagley, 36, soon grabbed the attention of Russian news outlets.
Her son, the 7-year-old alleged victim, was adopted with his twin brother from a Russian orphanage when they were 5, according to the local adoption agency that placed the brothers with the Beagleys. Adoptions from Russia to the U.S. have been on hold for more than a year because Russian authorities want an agreement for better oversight of the adopted kids, who typically keep Russian citizenship.
Beagley's attorney said Wednesday he plans to enter a not guilty plea at Beagley's arraignment hearing Friday.
"She has not done anything that would warrant a criminal charge for child abuse," said William Ingaldson, her attorney. "If this hadn't showed up on 'Dr. Phil,' there wouldn't be anybody saying anything about it."
Multiple sources reported to Anchorage police that they'd seen Beagley on the nationally televised show, police said. An Anchorage detective watched video showing Beagley yelling at the boy, putting Tapatio hot sauce in the boy's mouth, and forcing him, crying, into a cold shower, according to documents filed in court.
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