ALLEN, Ky. — A Floyd County woman has been charged with child abuse, after school staff noticed bruises on a 10-year-old girl’s face.

A Floyd County sheriff’s deputy was called to Allen Elementary last week, after staff spotted the bruises on the girl. She told the deputy the bruises were the result of her step-mother, identified as Allison Hamilton, 23, of Mink Branch at Harold, squeezing her face as punishment.

In addition to bruises on both cheeks, she also had bruises inside her mouth and she told the officer she had difficulty eating.

The girl and a 13-year-old boy in the home told police their step-mother also made them put diapers in their mouths as punishment. A 12-year-old girl in the home also had scratches on her hips, which she said she got from her Hamilton “clawing” her.

Hamilton was arrested and charged with first-degree child abuse and fourth-degree assault of a child. The case is now being considered for indictment by a Floyd County grand jury.