A Florida woman has been sentenced to three years probation after she branded her two young daughters.
Kayla Oxenham branded her two daughters, ages 5 and 7, to identify the children as her own. Her 7-year-old daughter told Port Charlotte, Florida, police officers that her mom used a lighter to heat a stick, which she then used to brand the two girls with. According to The Associated Press, she offered the girls ice cream after burning them.
The 7-year-old also claimed that Oxenham, 23, slammed her 5-year-old sister’s head into a wall repeatedly for locking a cat in the bathroom.
Oxenham, who works as a medical assistant, initially denied beating her kids and refused to speak about the branding incidents, according to WBBH.
Police started an investigation into Oxenham after reports of child abuse were made to the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Oxenham was charged with felony child abuse and was sentenced to three years probation after pleading no contest. As part of her sentencing, she must undergo a psychological evaluation and attend parenting classes, AP reports.
Sources: WBBH, AP via WPTV / Photo credit: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office via WBBH
