'Dr. Phil' appearance leads to abuse charges for Anchorage mother

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 an Internet video of her disciplining her child with hot sauce and a cold shower, according to court documents filed this month.

Jessica 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," William Ingaldson, her attorney, said. "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, 36, 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.

"We've tried time outs with (him)," Beagley says in a YouTube video from the "Dr. Phil" appearance. "That is a big joke."

In the video, Beagley goes on to explain that previous discipline -- spankings, forced exercise, soap in the mouth -- didn't stop the boy from acting out and lying, so the couple turned to hot sauce.

"If we've been having a lot of problems, it'll stay in the bathroom where it's handy when we need it," Beagley tells the camera.

When she's at her wit's end, the boy gets a cold shower, Beagley says.

A different video on YouTube showing the hot sauce and cold shower punishment had more than 980,000 views.

"The video has sound and anyone watching the video can hear (the child) screaming in pain," the charging document states.

Detective Leonard Torres then interviewed Beagley, her husband, Officer Gary Beagley and their six children. Municipal prosecutor Cynthia Franklin found evidence in the detective's report that Beagley's methods of discipline were not reasonable and therefore broke Anchorage child abuse laws.

Municipal law on child abuse lists several factors in determining what is reasonable parental discipline. One example of unreasonable discipline included in the code is the scalding, branding or burning of a child, which includes the use of a spicy hot sauce, according to the municipal prosecutor's office.

"They just felt that this went beyond acceptable disciplinary measures," police spokesman Lt. Dave Parker said. "Ultimately, a jury will have to decide if that's the case."

Beagley did not break municipal law, according to Ingaldson, her attorney. The Beagley children haven't had physical injuries or medical care for injuries, he said.

"Some people think spanking your child is wrong, and she doesn't even do that," he said.

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