Mother Of 4-Year-Old Girl Weighing 18 Pounds Accused Of Child Abuse

Poor thang….SMH

Mother Of 4-Year-Old Girl Weighing 18 Pounds Accused Of Child Abuse

A California woman who currently doesn’t have custody of any of her nine children will now face child abuse charges after her 4-year-old daughter was found at the hospital weighing only 18-pounds.

via NBC Los Angeles

After her 4-year-old daughter was dropped off at a hospital weighing just 18 pounds, an Orange County mother of nine is facing multiple counts of child abuse, authorities said.

Antonia Benitez, 35, of Santa Ana, was arrested Thursday, the Orange County District Attorney said.

She ran after leaving her daughter at a hospital June 4, according to the OC DA.

The 4-year-old girl was suffering from an infected wound on her leg and malnutrition, the OC DA said. Doctors at the time called Social Services which in turn alerted Santa Ana police.

In July 2012, Benitez allegedly took her daughter to the hospital for being underweight. That instance was not reported to police, the Orange County District Attorney said.

The average 4-year-old weighs about 34 pounds, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

All nine of Benitez’s children, ranging in age from 4 to 16, are under the care of Social Services or family members.

The OC District Attorney has filed three counts of felony child abuse against Benitez.

This poor little girl. No way this woman should continue to be able to have children when she has so little regard for them once they get here. Just disgusting.

Photo Credit: NBC L.A.