AMandan woman accused of slamming her daughter's head into a wall during an argument over the mother leaving daycare children in the daughter's care has pleaded not guilty to abuse or neglect of a child.

Billie Jo Berger, 32, entered the not guilty plea to abuse or neglect of a child on Monday afternoon to South Central District Judge David Reich.

Berger's 14-year-old daughter reported Berger sent her 9-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old she watches in her daycare to soccer practice with the 14-year-old on Aug. 25. While the girl was at soccer practice, her mother also dropped off a 1-year-old who goes to her daycare.

When the girl returned home with the children after practice, her mother was gone, police said. Berger was at a bar, and the girl brought her home.

Once at home, they began arguing, so the 14-year-old went to her great-grandmother's house in Mandan, police said. Berger showed up at the great-grandmother's house and continued arguing with the girl.

The girl called 911 at 8:40 p.m. after Berger allegedly grabbed her by the throat and slammed her head against a wall multiple times, resulting in a lump on her head.

Berger was arrested, and the 14-year-old and 9-year-old were left at the great-grandmother's house.

Berger ran a small, in-home daycare, police said.

Berger is free upon posting $2,000 cash or surety bond. She is slated to appear in court again on Nov. 10.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@bismarcktribune.com.)