MESA, AZ — A Mesa woman who has served prison time in the past for child abuse is accused of attacking another one of her children on Christmas morning.
Mesa police report that on Dec. 25, the boy's father removed him and his two younger siblings from their home after seeing his son bruised and bloody.
Police say about 15 minutes prior to the father's arrival, Nicole Smith, 33, asked her 8-year-old son to bring her nail clippers. When she saw that his hands and nails were dirty, she reportedly hit the child on both sides of his face.
The boy's father told police that the boy had a bloody nose and bruised eye. He removed the boy and his younger siblings from the home and contacted police.
Smith reportedly admitted to being drunk but denied hitting the boy, saying it was his younger sister that hit him. Police say several cans of malt liquor were found throughout the home.
Court records show that Smith was convicted of child abuse in a 2010 incident where she reportedly choked, punched, and bit the ear of another son. Court documents show she also threatened him by saying, "she brought him into the world, and she would take him out."
Smith was initially sentenced to 10 years probation, but later served two years in prison for violating the conditions of her probation.
Smith has been charged with child abuse.
If you suspect a child is being abused, the Arizona Department of Child Services has resources available to report the issue to a social worker. You can call the Arizona Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445), and will be asked for information about the child, as well as the nature of your concerns. You can also get more information from DCS about reporting abuse or neglect online.
