A 20-year-old Fayetteville man pleaded not guilty this week in Sebastian County Circuit Court to a felony charge of injuring a child, after he was accused of breaking his infant daughter’s collarbone during a diaper change.
According to Fort Smith police reports, the incident occurred in February when Matthew L. Sartin was changing the baby and, authorities say, yanked her arms. The child was later found to have a fractured collarbone and bruising on her face. Sartin, who is the child’s biological father, was arrested in February and has remained in the Sebastian County Jail since, according to court records.
Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney Christy Griffin confirmed the plea during a hearing Wednesday. Sartin’s attorney, Justin McCoy, entered the not guilty plea on his behalf. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 10 to determine whether the case will proceed to trial.
Look, this kind of thing hits different when it happens close to home. We’re talking about a young guy from Fayetteville — not some anonymous name from out of state. And honestly, it’s one of those stories that sticks with you. The baby had already suffered a broken collarbone, which police say happened before the February incident. When Sartin was changing her, he told investigators he “heard a loud pop,” according to the arrest affidavit.
That detail — the pop — is apparently what led investigators to believe the injury was more recent and directly tied to Sartin’s actions. The baby was taken to a hospital in Fort Smith, where the fracture and facial bruising were confirmed. No other injuries were reported at that time.
Child injury cases are always sensitive, and this one’s no different. The Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office took over the investigation from the Fort Smith Police Department, which is standard procedure in cases involving potential criminal charges. Authorities haven’t released the child’s age, but she’s described as Sartin’s daughter with a local woman who was in a relationship with him at the time.
Honestly, it’s the kind of situation that makes you wonder how many warning signs get missed. The child had already been seen by medical professionals for the initial collarbone injury, which Sartin reportedly said happened when the baby was dropped while being carried by her mother. But when the “pop” incident came to light, it raised red flags for doctors, who then alerted law enforcement.
Fort Smith, for all its size, is just a short drive from Fayetteville — close enough that the ripple effects of a case like this are felt across Northwest Arkansas. It’s not some far-off place where things like this happen to other people. It’s right here, and it involves people we might pass at the grocery store or see walking their dog.
Sartin is being held without bond, according to jail records. His next court appearance is scheduled for next month, but there’s no timeline yet for when a trial might happen. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
For now, the child is reportedly in the custody of the Arkansas Department of Human Services. The case has been sealed, which means details about her current well-being or placement aren’t public.
This isn’t just a court date or a mugshot. It’s a reminder of how fragile trust can be — especially when it comes to the safety of children. And it’s a reminder that sometimes, what sounds like a momentary loss of control can echo far beyond a single “loud pop.”
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
