Update: Winer pleaded guilty in February 2022 to the lesser charge of child abuse. She was sentenced to a six-month judicial diversion, with no health care to children, adults or the elderly, plus state probation, according to Montgomery County court records. In August 2022, the diversion was completed, and the charge was dismissed.

Previously:

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn,. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – An LPN has been charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect on allegations she physically abused a 12-year-old girl with medical issues.

In August 2019, The Department of Children Services (DCS) screened the referral out for severe abuse and there did not appear to be anything criminal in nature.  Since the referral was screened out, CPD did not assign it for investigation.

On January 8th, CPD’s Special Victims Unit viewed a portion of a video depicting the events occurring on August 23, 2019 at the Faulkner Dr. residence and assigned the case to Detective Fatula for investigation.  Detective Fatula’s investigation revealed the 12-year-old female victim has several medical conditions that require her to have 24-hour care and there are video cameras inside of the Faulkner Dr. residence.

The suspect, Melissa Winer, an LPN, arrived on Aug 23, 2019 to provide nursing care for the 12-year-old.  She can be seen on video providing abusive and negligent care to the victim.  She let the victim fall to the floor on several occasions and one time it appears the girl hit her head.

Winer is seen pulling the victim’s hair numerous times and on one occasion appears to lift her by the hair.  On another occasion, the victim was in a sitting position and  Winer was pulling the victim up from the floor causing a scrape to her back.

Due to the heinous and cruel nature of the treatment to the victim by Winer, a warrant was secured.

After a coordinated effort between CPD, Oak Grove PD, and Robertson County Sheriff’s Officer, Melissa Winer, 44 was taken in custody and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on January 13th and charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect. Her bond was set at $50,000.

Also, CPD is reevaluating its procedures for handling referrals that have been screened out by DCS.

The lead investigator is Detective Fatula.

No jail mugshot was available at the time of the report.