Mom accused of burning 'wimp' into child

Youngster told police her mom was angry with her and used a cigarette

Video: Crime & courts

Conflicting details emerge in Knox case
July 5: Amid contradictory claims about the house where British exchange student Meredith Kercher was found murdered, Amanda Knox’s defense team is turning their attention to forensic evidence. NBC’s Keith Miller reports.

Ex-NFL MVP McNair found dead

Former NFL MVP McNair killed

Murders leave S.C. town on edge

Dognapper demands sex

On the run

15 Most Wanted

The U.S. Marshals want your help finding their "15 Most Wanted" fugitives, a notorious list of suspects fleeing everything from murder and robbery to child sex charges. To date, about 200 of the fugitives profiled on the list have been found. Tips leading to an arrest are rewarded up to $25,000. Click here to see the fugitives.

Breaking news alerts (about 1 per day)
Click here to sign up or text NEWS to MSNBC (67622).

Find more alerts at alerts.msnbc.com

Most popular

updated 8:19 p.m. ET Nov. 22, 2008

MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. - A West Virginia mother faces charges after being accused of burning the word "wimp" into her 6-year-old daughter's neck.

Tammy Smith is charged with five counts of child abuse and of malicious assault, all felonies.

Moundsville Police Chief Jim Kudlak said Saturday that the child told police that her mother used a cigarette to burn her. Smith's daughter told authorities that her mother burned her because she was angered that the girl tripped and fell.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

An employee at the child's school noticed the burns and police were called Wednesday. The girl is in foster care.

The 43-year-old Smith is being held in jail on $50,000 bond. Kudlak says he doesn't think she has an attorney yet.

Moundsville is in northern West Virginia.