A woman from McMinnville was arrested in Smithville after reportedly using a Taser on a five-year-old. 

According to authorities, Nikesha Danielle Cooper, 39, of McMinnville and Mark Dwayne Cantrell, 35, of Smithville are due to appear in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Aug. 7. The couple was charged in a sealed indictment last week for child abuse and aggravated child abuse. Cantrell is under a $200,000 bond and Cooper’s is set for $300,000. 

The incidents reportedly occurred from around Aug. 26, 2021 when the child was five-years-old to Aug. 25, 2022. Authorities say a Taser was used on the child during this time. 

Cantrell and Cooper are co-indicted on two counts of aggravated child abuse and four counts of child abuse. Cooper is also indicted for one additional count of aggravated child abuse and two additional counts of child abuse.

The indictment states, “On or about Aug. 26, 2021 to Aug. 25, 2022 in DeKalb County and before the finding of this indictment, Cantrell and Cooper did unlawfully, knowingly, and other than by accidental means, abuse (victim), a child under 18 years of age, such act of abuse, neglect, or endangerment was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, or involved the infliction of torture to the victim, thereby committing the offense of aggravated child abuse in violation of state law.”

The indictment for child abuse states, “On or about Aug. 26, 2021 to Aug. 25, 2022 in DeKalb County and before the finding of this indictment, Cantrell and Cooper did unlawfully, knowingly, and other than by accidental means, abused or neglected, and inflicted injury on (victim), a child under 18 years of age, such act of abuse or neglect so as to adversely affect the child’s health and welfare, thereby committing the offense of child abuse in violation of state law.”

Chris Tramel of the Smithville Review contributed to this report.