Child dies after mother kicks her in the stomach for not brushing her teeth
A Maryland mother admitted that she allegedly kicked her 4-year-old daughter in the stomach for not brushing her teeth -- and tragically, the child has died.
Iris Hernandez Rivas, 20, has been charged with first-degree child abuse and first-degree assault, according to a press release.
Rivas called 911 on Thursday to report that her daughter, Nohely Alexandra Martinez, was unresponsive, police said.
Hernandez-Rivas then told authorities that her daughter went to take a shower at 11:15 a.m. and 15-20 minutes later she found her lying face down in the bath tub, according to INSIDE EDITION.
The mother added that she waited an hour to call authorities.
Nohely was transported to the hospital in serious condition, and the medical staff immediately noticed multiple bruises on the child's body as well as head trauma.
The next day when police spoke to Hernandez-Rivas, she reportedly confessed to kicking the child in the abdomen because she was angry that she hadn't brushed her teeth and that the child then fell backwards and hit her head on the living room wall.
Reports state that the mother told police her daughter appeared lethargic when she went to take a shower, and she was later found lying face down.
According to INSIDE EDITION, police are waiting for the official cause of death before they pursue more charges. Hernandez-Rivas is now being held without bond.
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