Indiana Co. Woman Facing Charges Related To Alleged Child Abuse
WHEATFIELD TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – An Indiana County woman has been released on bond after allegedly abusing her young daughter.
According to police, Rebecca Lynne Smith, 33, of Dilltown, was arraigned on simple assault and endangering the welfare of a child charges for the alleged abuse of her 7-year-old daughter.
A school nurse at the United Elementary School in Armaugh noticed the child had suffered a severe sprain to her left wrist as well as a lacerated lip.
The child was sent to the IRMC Emergency Department and state police were called.
During the course of their investigation, police determined the child's injuries were caused by Smith.
The girl's grandmother also reported to police that Smith has an open case with CYS because of a previous allegation of physical abuse.
Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty says a renewed awareness of potential child abuse across the country makes investigators rely on more than one person or agency to look at the case.
"Opening the door between organizations and agencies to share information," says Dougherty. "Has this child been in the system before? And I'm not talking specifics on this case, but… so that we know that there's a level of communication, so kids don't fall through the cracks. That's the number one goal. And have things happened before that have led up to this."
Smith was then arraigned and placed in the Indiana County Jail on $10,000 bond.
She faces a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
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