TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Tallahassee mother has been charged with child abuse after investigators say she admitted to burning a 2-year-old with a hot blow dryer.
Danika McCray, 23, was arrested on Monday after the child was examined by a pediatric nurse during a welfare check.
According to court documents, the nurse noticed that the child had cuts and open wounds on the inside of his forearms during the examination.
When asked about the wounds, McCray initially said she didn't know what had happened, but her story kept changing. Worried the 2-year-old may be the victim of abuse or neglect, the nurse notified the Tallahassee Police Department who came out to the doctor's office.
When asked about the wounds by police, McCray said she didn't know anything but said the child had been with his father and had those injuries when he was returned to her.
TPD then notified the Florida Department of Children and Families. Before a DCF investigator arrived to the doctor's office however, McCray admitted to holding a hot blow dryer to each of the 2-year-old's forearms.
McCray told investigators that it was an "accident," even though she admitted to burning the child one arm at a time.
When the DCF investigator arrived, they took the child for a medical examination so they could document and photograph his injuries.
Based on the investigation, authorities determined McCray "maliciously" punished the 2-year-old by burning his arms with a hot blow dryer, causing open wounds and lacerations.
McCray, who has three kids of her own and is eight months pregnant, was arrested and charged with one count of child abuse. She transported to the Leon County Detention Facility and held on a $3,500 bond.
McCray has since bonded out.
