Butler woman accused of burning 6-year-old
A Butler woman is accused of using a stove top to burn the hands of her boyfriend's 6-year-old daughter.
The girl suffered second-degree burns Jan. 4 but the suspect, 33-year-old Tonya L. Schmidt, did not immediately get medical help for the child, Butler police said.
Only after the girl showed up for school that morning did authorities learn what happened and get her to the hospital.
The child would later reveal other examples of cruel punishment and discipline that she allegedly suffered at the hands of the woman she considered her stepmother and who she called “Mama T.”
Police Wednesday arrested Schmidt on felony charges of aggravated assault and child endangerment, and misdemeanor charges of simple assault and reckless endangerment.
She is in the Butler County Prison on $25,000 bail.
The girl remains in the custody of Butler County Children and Youth Services.
