A St. Croix woman is facing charges of child abuse after police say she allegedly burned the hand of a minor living in her home. An investigation into the matter began Sunday after investigators responded to a home in Estate Grove Place.
Charges of assault and child abuse were filed against 52-year-old Shelva Smith on Sept. 28. A 12-year-old minor was transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital for treatment of second-degree burns to the hand.
A relative who placed the call to authorities said she encountered the victim, who came to her home with injuries, saying the accused pressed his hand into a lit stove burner.
The minor told the relative the action may have been linked to a phone call Smith received, accusing the victim of theft.
The witness said there were also other incidents between the accused and the minor that prompted her to contact the Human Services Department about suspected child abuse.
Police also interviewed an emergency room physician who examined the victim. The doctor described the injuries, saying the minor was at risk of losing partial use of the hand without further treatment.
Smith made an initial appearance in Superior Court on Monday before Magistrate Judge Venetia Velazquez. The judge set bail at $3,000 and ordered that the victim in the case be relocated from the home where the incident occurred.
Arraignment was set for Oct. 15
