By Cass Rains, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — A 21-year-old Enid woman was arraigned Thursday on a felony charge of abuse of a child, accusing her of striking her 1-year-old daughter in November.

Jessica Marie Jones faces up to life in prison and no less than a year in jail and a fine of $500 to $5,000, if convicted.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, Enid Police Department officers were called to investigate a “suspicious injury” to a child.

On Nov. 24, police spoke with the godmother of a 1-year-old girl who was watching the child for Jones. The woman told police she noticed several round bruises on the girl’s buttocks and one on the girl’s shoulder, according to an affidavit. She said Jones had returned to drop off diapers and she asked about the injuries, and Jones said the girl had fallen out of the car in a gravel driveway. Jones told the woman the bruise on the girl’s shoulder was a burn from a candle that had fallen.

While police were speaking with the godmother Jones arrived to pick up her daughter. Jones repeatedly told police the bruises were from falling on rocks and the injury to the shoulder was caused by hot wax from a falling candle, according to the affidavit.

When the girl was examined by a pediatrician Nov. 24 the doctor said the injuries were not consistent with the history given, the affidavit states.

A detective spoke with Jones Nov. 25, who during the interview changed her story about how her daughter was injured.

According to the affidavit, Jones admitted to lying to the officers the day before. She said a former friend had caused the injuries to her daughter, and Jones said the woman threatened to kill her if she told anyone.

Further into the interview, Jones again admitted to lying and said the former friend had not caused the injuries, according to the affidavit. Jones said she stopped the girl from running into the street and took her inside and must have sat her down hard on some marbles that were on the floor.

The detective told Jones she needed to be honest because sitting the girl down on marbles would not have caused the bruises.

Jones said she placed the girl face down on her lap to spank her and said she turned her diamond ring around so the diamond was facing her palm, according to the affidavit. Jones said she spanked the girl on the buttocks and right thigh eight to nine times and it caused the bruises on the girl’s body, according to the affidavit. Jones said the bruise on the girl’s shoulder was probably caused when she grabbed her on the right shoulder and squeezed too hard.

Jones’ bond was set at $15,000, and she was ordered to return to court March 1 for a bond appearance.

SOURCE:  http://enidnews.com/localnews/x1059038899/Woman-arraigned-for-child-abuse