"John Doe" - 6 yo - Daytona Beach FL

Police: Mother Tortured 6-Year-Old Son

24-Year-Old Daytona Beach Woman Charged With Child Abuse

March 4, 2010

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A 24-year-old Daytona Beach woman was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of
torturing her 6-year-old son to the point that he "had bruising and scarring to a significant portion of his body," according to a police report.

The woman, whose name is not being released to protect the boy's identity, was arrested on a charge of aggravated child abuse.

According to a Daytona Beach police report, the woman tortured and/or maliciously punished the boy, causing injuries to his face, chest, the back of his arms and his legs.

Police said Port Orange school teachers noticed that the 6-year-old had a black eye and other bruises and informed authorities.

A Florida Department of Children and Families investigator concluded that the child had been abused, and a nurse said the boy's injuries were in various stages of the healing process, police said.

When interviewed, the boy said his injuries were caused by his mother hitting him, according to the police report.

The boy's mother told police that she never hit her son and his injuries were caused by a fight with his 5-year-old stepbrother, police said.

Based on the boy's statements and the fact that his mother never sought medical treatment for him, she was arrested, police said.