Videotaped Mom Faces New Charges

Associated Press/September 28, 2002

Mishawaka, Ind. -- A woman accused of hitting her 4-year-old daughter in a beating caught by a surveillance camera surrendered to face new charges of giving police false addresses.

Madelyne Gorman Toogood turned herself in Friday night on the misdemeanor charge of false informing, said St. Joseph County jail officer Jay Dooley. She was released after posting a $2,000 bond.

Toogood, 25, had been out on bond after pleading innocent to felony battery of a child. That charge was filed in a Sept. 13 beating in a department store parking lot, which was caught on videotape and televised nationally.

Toogood's attorney, Steve Rosen, said he believed the new charge was unfair. "The trauma continues for her. It was uncalled for," he said.

Authorities say Toogood gave them addresses for commercial mailbox businesses in Mishawaka and Elkhart, Ind., and Fort Worth, Texas.

Toogood has said she and her husband belong to the nomadic group called the Irish Travelers, but have been living in Mishawaka for about six months.

Toogood's daughter was placed in a foster home. She has two young sons who remain in her custody.