REGINA, Ky. — A Pike County woman has been arrested on a child abuse charge, after she was accused of beating a child with a clothes hanger.

Social services called police to a home on Rasnick Bottom at Regina, over a report that an 11-year-old with autism had been abused. When they arrived, they were told that 36-year-old Christy Toler had beat the child with a clothes hanger, leaving a bruise on his leg.

That child and other children in the home all confirmed that the beating had taken place, with one child saying Toler hit the boy at least 10 times. Because of the severity of the bruise, all of the children were taken into protective custody.

Toler was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal abuse. Because the alleged victim is younger than 12, she faces a potential prison sentence of between 10 and 20 years if convicted.

She has since been released on bond.