A Midway woman charged with second-degree murder in the death of an 18-month-old boy has been deemed not fit to proceed, following a psychological evaluation. The determination was announced Monday in Baxter County Circuit Court, Criminal Division.
Terra Jonell Thompson, 30, previously pleaded not guilty to charges that include second-degree murder, first-degree battery, and second-degree battery. Her attorney had informed the court that Thompson would rely on a defense of mental disease or defect. A petition for a psychological evaluation was filed on January 6.
If standard procedures are followed, Thompson will now be placed in the custody of the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Authorities will either work toward restoring her competency to proceed with the case or conclude that restoration is not achievable. Should restoration prove impossible, a long-term care plan will be developed for Thompson. For now, the Baxter County case is being placed on inactive status.
**Incident Details**
The charges stem from an incident that occurred on August 29 of last year. Baxter County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on State Highway 178 in response to reports of an infant who was barely breathing. By the time investigators arrived, the child had already been transported to Baxter Health. Medical personnel noted significant bruising along the right side of the infant's face and signs of brain bleeding. The child was transferred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock but later died. The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office pronounced the boy deceased at approximately 11:30 a.m. on August 30.
During a subsequent interview, Thompson admitted to becoming upset and “slamming” the child. She stated that she pushed the boy, causing him to hit the back of his head, and struck him “hard” with an open palm. Thompson also admitted to applying makeup to the child to conceal injuries. When her mother arrived home around 3 p.m., she noticed the baby was not breathing, prompting a call to first responders.
At the time of the incident, Thompson lived in a mobile home in the Midway area with her five-year-old daughter, her mother, the 18-month-old victim, and the boy’s two-year-old sibling. According to court documents, the children had been staying with Thompson for about ten days because their mother, who had recently returned to Arkansas from Texas, did not have a stable home. Investigators noted that the two-year-old sibling also had visible injuries, including a large bruise on the cheek, which Thompson admitted was caused by her striking the child out of frustration.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the two-year-old was taken into the care of a family friend, while Thompson's five-year-old daughter was placed in the custody of the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
Thompson had no prior record of booking at the Baxter County Detention Center. She was initially arrested on the battery charges on the night of the incident and the second-degree murder charge was added the following day as further evidence emerged. The Public Defender’s Office has been appointed to represent her.
Court records indicate Thompson had previously raised concerns about custody arrangements for her own daughter during divorce proceedings, citing a lack of trust in her estranged husband.
The case remains inactive while authorities address the competency findings and determine the next steps.