Mom Allegedly Burns Daughter with Cigarette

(Moundsville, West Virginia) a 43-year-old local mother, Tammy Lynn Smith, was arrested Friday for allegedly burning the word "wimp" into her six-year-old daughter's neck.

While officers know the letters "wimp" on the child's neck will heal, they also know there is a good chance the burned flesh from which they were created will scar.

"The 'i' was even dotted," said investigating Detective Shawn Allman. The 6-year-old "said that her mom burned her with a cigarette because she was mad at her because she had tripped."

Smith is facing five counts of child abuse and felony malicious assault charges.

According to Allman, the investigation began Wednesday after the Moundsville Police Department was contacted by a representative from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources about a child who may have been abused. Allman said the DHHR was contacted by the secretary at the school the child attends.

"She advised that a teacher had noticed a burn mark on the 6-year-old's neck a week ago and had taken a picture of the burn," Allman said.

Upon reviewing the picture with a representative from Harmony House, Allman quickly realized investigators were dealing with more than just one burn.

"She turned the picture, and I could clearly see the letters," Allman said.

The child was removed from the Smith home by DHHR. Smith was booked into custody at the Northern Regional Jail with bond set at $50,000.