PHOENIX (AP) - A Tempe woman is accused of child abuse for allegedly forcing a 3-year-old girl to eat feces as punishment.
Nicole Renee Candelaria had her initial court appearance Monday and her bond was set at $5,400. She doesn’t have an attorney yet.
The 27-year-old Candelaria was arrested Saturday. Authorities say she’s the boyfriend of the girl’s father and she often takes care of his three children while he is at work.
Court records show Candelaria became upset when the girl defecated in the bathtub and Candelaria allegedly forced her to eat the excrement.
The child was taken to a Tempe hospital where doctors also noted some bruising on her chest, back, sides and legs.
Police say Candelaria was booked into the Tempe City Jail on one count of child abuse-domestic violence.
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