Veneta Fricks, former associate dean of students, was officially fired from her position at UCA at the start of the Spring 2026 semester due to being charged with domestic battery in the second degree and permitting child abuse.
Veneta Fricks, along with her wife Kayla Fricks, was arrested Nov. 14 for forcing their 11-year-old son to perform “wall/air squats” for 11 minutes and beating him with a belt and spoon when he could not complete them on Nov. 11 according to the Affidavit for Warrant.
The child disclosed to a school counselor three days later that he was being “whooped” by his parents, prompting the school to call DHS.
When DHS worker Deborah Hill found evidence of bruising on the child’s body that was inconsistent with normal discipline, she removed the child from the home to question him further at the DHS office and called the Conway Police Department.
After officer Kaden Dickinson questioned the child, the child said that the reason for the beatings was due to him stealing money.
Veneta Fricks said her and her son had visited family in Memphis, Tennessee, earlier in the week.
She said that the child had stolen credit cards and money from a church they visited along with various family members.
After finding out, Veneta Fricks said she attempted to spank the child with a belt, but ended up hitting other parts of his body after he squirmed away.
When Dickinson questioned Veneta Fricks about how the child got bruises on his arms and legs and cuts on his neck and chest, Dickinson said she was unable to answer.
When Detective Cameron Rodgers arrived at the office later, he found older scars that the child said came from previous beatings.
Rodgers said that the “bruising was so bad that there was no way to tell what was used to cause the bruises.”
Rodgers also found an open wound on the child’s neck caused by a belt buckle, which he said Veneta Fricks was unable to explain.
The case against Veneta Fricks is still open with her arraignment occurring on Jan. 12.
Veneta Fricks has been released on bond, where she is only allowed to leave her house for church on Sundays and is unable to contact her son before trial.
She is also required to submit to random drug screenings before trial as well.
Immediately following her arrest, UCA removed her from the faculty website page.
UCA officially fired her starting the Spring 2026 semester, and her position has yet to be replaced.
“We recognize the seriousness of the situation, and our thoughts are with all who may be affected,” Tiffany Head, communications director for UCA, said.
