A Winter Haven mother has been arrested for beating her four-year-old son with a belt across his stomach, legs, arms and face, because he jumped on a bed.
29-year-old Sheila R. Smith, of Villas of Lake Smart-Vista Del Lago, was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with aggravated child abuse and child neglect.
Police said, a 911 caller indicated that a child was seen walking around the apartment complex alone and there were numerous welts and bruises on his face, arms and legs.
Arriving officers attempted to locate Smith, but were unable to do so.
The boy was taken to a local area hospital for treatment of his injuries. That’s when Smith arrived.
Smith told detectives that she did hit the child with a belt about 12 times for jumping on the bed and she beats him while he is standing. She said, after the beating, the boy cried himself to sleep and she left the apartment to go to the store.
Smith learned that the child had wondered outside upon her return, she told detectives.
Police said, the injuries to the child were consistent with him trying to shield himself and get away from the beating.
Smith was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail.
