Police say a 7-year-old who could not swim was pushed into a hotel pool’s deep end during a weekend incident in Sedalia.
SEDALIA, Mo. — A Missouri woman is facing child abuse and child endangerment charges after authorities said she deliberately pushed a 7-year-old boy into the deep end of a hotel swimming pool, despite the child being unable to swim. The incident occurred Saturday at an indoor hotel pool in Sedalia, according to court records.
Investigators say the case quickly became a criminal matter after surveillance video captured the encounter and helped officers identify the woman. Prosecutors allege the child was placed in danger when he was pushed into water deeper than his height. The woman, identified as Penny Badgett, was later arrested and booked into the Pettis County Jail. The case has drawn attention because police say the woman had no previous interaction with the child before the incident and acted based on her belief that he had been mistreating another child.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the incident unfolded at an indoor hotel pool where families and children were gathered over the weekend. Investigators said the 7-year-old boy was sitting near the edge of the pool when Badgett approached from behind. Court documents state that surveillance footage showed her waiting until the child sat down before extending her foot and pushing him into the water. The area where he landed was approximately 5½ feet deep. Police said the child could not swim and became frightened after entering the pool. The boy’s aunt confronted Badgett moments later. Authorities said Badgett responded by claiming she believed the child had been “mean to another child.” Police noted that no evidence suggested she knew the boy personally or had interacted with him before the encounter.
Investigators relied heavily on security footage and hotel records to identify the suspect. According to the affidavit, officers reviewed video from the pool area and determined the woman’s movements before and after the incident. Police then examined electronic door-lock records from the hotel and traced those records to a guest room where Badgett was staying. Officers contacted her and attempted to question her about the event. Court documents state that she declined to answer questions without an attorney present. However, after officers informed her that they had obtained video evidence and were placing her under arrest, she allegedly acknowledged the encounter. The affidavit says she told police, “I know what this is about, I pushed him.” Authorities have not alleged that the child suffered serious physical injuries, but prosecutors contend the action exposed him to a significant risk because he could not swim and was pushed into deep water. Police said the child reported being scared by what happened.
The charges filed against Badgett include child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child, offenses that focus on conduct that places a minor at risk of harm. While the allegations center on a brief incident at a hotel pool, investigators emphasized the potential danger associated with forcing a young child into water beyond the child’s abilities. Court records indicate the pool area was under video surveillance, providing investigators with a detailed account of the event. The case also highlights how electronic access records and modern hotel security systems can assist law enforcement in identifying suspects after incidents occur on private property. Authorities have not publicly described any dispute involving the children before the encounter, and no information released so far suggests that hotel staff were directly involved in the confrontation.
Following her arrest, Badgett was booked into the Pettis County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold. Court records show she was later released after bond was set at $15,000. The criminal case will now move through the Missouri court system, where prosecutors will have the burden of proving the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. Defense attorneys have not publicly outlined any legal strategy, and no plea had been reported at the time of the latest court filings. Future proceedings are expected to include routine hearings addressing evidence, scheduling, and any motions filed by either side. Investigators have already cited surveillance footage as a key piece of evidence, making it likely to play a central role if the case proceeds toward trial.
The hotel pool where the incident occurred became the focus of the investigation as officers worked to reconstruct the sequence of events. Surveillance cameras captured activity around the water, allowing detectives to compare witness statements with recorded footage. Family members of the child were among the first people to react after the push. According to court documents, the boy’s aunt immediately confronted Badgett. The child later told authorities he was frightened by being forced into the pool. Police have not released additional statements from relatives, and the child’s name has not been made public because he is a minor. For now, the case remains centered on the surveillance video, witness accounts, and the statements attributed to Badgett during the arrest process.
The case remains pending in Pettis County. The next major milestone will be upcoming court appearances where prosecutors and defense attorneys will address the charges and the evidence gathered during the investigation.
Author note: Last updated June 1, 2026.