Mom stomped on girl to punish her, Hazelwood police say
HAZELWOODA mother upset over her teenage daughter's posting on a social networking site hit, kicked and stomped the girl to punish her, police said Friday.
The girl, 14, was taken to Christian Hospital to be treated for abrasions and blood found in her urine, which may be a sign of serious injury, authorities say. The mother is in jail.
Harmony M. Camden, 37, of the 100 block of Reasor Drive, was charged this week with child abuse. She is being held on $25,000 bail. Child abuse is a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Hazelwood Police Officer Josiah Peacock said in court papers that the attack happened Monday at their home. Camden hit her in the face and ear and kicked and stomped her back and side, Peacock said.
A police report says the fight started with a posting on a social networking site that the mother didn't appreciate. The dispute escalated over issues from previous arguments, police say.
An anonymous hotline call about abuse came to the state child-welfare agency, which notified police. Police took the girl into protective custody and then to the hospital.
Camden's next court date is set for May 28 in St. Louis County.
Police didn't say what exactly was said online that triggered the alleged attack, but on Camden's own Facebook page she has recent postings that appear to talk about the trouble.
"Because I put my foot in her (expletive) when she (expletive) up, doesn't make me a bad parent!" she wrote in one. "But, you think you can do a better job, fine, go for it."
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Mom stomped on girl to punish her, Hazelwood police say