MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – A woman used a belt and extension cord to beat a child after finding her Reese's Peanut Butter Cups missing from her bedroom, according to Brevard County Sheriff's Office officials.
The affidavit states the victim was home after school on Oct. 19 and went into Amber Hand's bedroom for a snack. Hand later found the candy missing and struck the girl with an extension cord and belt more than five times for taking the chocolate, deputies said.
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Hand, 36, denied striking the child and said she never saw the visible injuries on the victim, according to the report. Hand told authorities the victim received the injuries from playing outside.
Authorities were alerted after the victim went to her elementary school's clinic and asked for an ice pack for her face. The report said the victim told school administrators how she got the marks after they questioned her.
The Department of Children and Families was contacted to interview and examine the victim. The affidavit said the victim told DCF the suspect used an extension cord that is used to plug in her television and she was told not to move her hands while she received her punishment. Officials said the victim also told DCF that she is usually disciplined with a belt.
Deputies said physical examinations of the victim found 18 bruises on her back, leg, arm and face. The injuries on the right side of her face were found to be consistent with being struck by an extension cord.
The report said DCF found the victim's sibling was also a victim of child abuse involving belt strikes. It does not state whether or not Hand is either of the victims' parent.
Hand was charged with child abuse with excessive force and held on $10,000 bond.