Woman Charged with Abusing Her Child

A Paducah woman has been charged with child abuse.

According to the McCracken County Sheriff's Department, detectives and deputies began investigating after being notified by a local doctor's office. They learned that a 6-year-old child received injuries that required hospitalization. The investigation revealed that there were old and new injuries, indicating that abuse could have been happening for an extended period of time. 

When detectives spoke to the child's mother, 31-year-old Jennifer Smith, she denied any abuse, but police say she was unable to give reasonable explanations for her child's injuries, which physicians described as severe.

The victim and a sibling were also interviewed, and the Department of Social Services was consulted throughout the investigation. 

Smith was arrested Friday for criminal abuse 1st degree, which is a felony.

The sheriff's department says the children were removed from Smith's care, and more charges or arrests are possible as the investigation continues.