JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville mother was arrested Tuesday after she struck a special needs child with a belt because he ate sausage that he was not supposed to eat, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
Victoria Connie Young, 29, is charged with child abuse.
According to the arrest report, school personnel contacted the Department of Children and Families after noticing a boy had several severe wounds on his body.
The boy told police that after school last Friday, he ate sausage that he was not supposed to eat. When Young found out, she said, “You need a whooping,” then struck the boy with an open belt several times, the buckle hitting his body, according to police.
Investigators said the boy had several large scabbed-over wounds – one on his upper chest, three on the left side of his back and one on his left leg.
The Department of Children and Families was notified and will be investigating the incident.
A DCF spokesperson told News4Jax Thursday that there are other children under the age of 9 living in the home who have since been place in the care of relatives.
According to court records, Young was arrested for child abuse in 2014, but the charge was dropped.
She is being held at the Duval County Jail on a $20,000 bond.