JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A mother is charged with child abuse after the Department of Children and Families was notified about an 8-year-old child with injuries on his body, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.
Diedre Robinson, 23, was arrested Wednesday.
According to the Sheriff's Office, the 8-year-old's injuries included a welt on his head, cut on his wrist and marks on his arm.
Police said some of the child’s injuries were still sensitive to touch.
The child told investigators he was struck with a wooden back scratcher several times because he got up late for school on Tuesday.
The arrest report had been redacted, so it's unclear who contacted DCF in the first place.
“The child may have had marks that were visible and seen by a teacher, or if the kid feels comfortable, he may have approached the teacher to let them know what’s going on. It could have been a health care professional. Anyone who has regular contact with vulnerable people are mandated to contact law enforcement," said Gil Smith, News4Jax crime and safety analyst.
Robinson was booked into the Duval County Jail but posted $5,000 bond Thursday night, according to jail records.
News4Jax spoke with Robinson after she was released from jail. She said this is a case of her disciplining her child, and things are being blown way out of proportion.