10/22/09 - Gibson County

By: Jonquil Newland
jnewland@wbbjtv.com
10:15 p.m.
 
According to sources close to the investigation, the Gibson County District Attorney is asking the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to look into possible child abuse claims against former Humboldt Police Officer Melody Pierce-Stewart and her husband Hunter Stewart. Their two-month-old son was hospitalized, Sunday.
 
Sources said the infant was taken from the Milan General Hospital to Vanderbilt Medical Center with suspicious injuries. Pierce-Stewart has three other children with her ex husband, who is a Trenton police officer. He did not comment on the issue, but said he wants to "stay as far away as possible." He said he is currently caring for their 11, 9, and 7-year-olds. 
 
Pierce-Stewart's attorney, Cynthia Chandler-Snell, said she does not believe her client is under investigation. She said both parents are fully cooperating with the Department of Child Services.
 
Pierce-Stewart has been at the center of controversy since November of last year. That is when Milan police said she shot her ex-boyfriend after he broke into her home and fought her current husband. Charges were also filed against her in Madison County for filing a false police report. She was later fired from the Humboldt Police Department for which she sued the city. Then, earlier this week she was in the news amid a paternity test involving her son who is not hospitalized. DNA proved Stewart is the father.
 
The investigation continues.