Mother accused of burning child

A Cape Girardeau mother accused of burning her 8-month-old daughter with a curling iron was charged with child abuse.

Amy L. Siebert, 25, of 126 S. Louisiana Ave., was charged Friday with the class C felony. She is accused of using a curling iron against her daughter for "possible discipline purposes," according to police Sgt. Barry Hovis.

The child had burn marks on her forehead, hand and lower legs, he said. She was taken to a local hospital for an examination, but the burns were not life-threatening.

The girl's baby-sitter and Siebert's roommate reported the burn marks to the police early Thursday, and Siebert was arrested later that day, Hovis said.

Siebert was being held in lieu of a $7,500 bond. If she posts bond, Siebert is to have no contact with the victim and stay more than 500 feet away from where the child is staying, according to court records.

Missouri Department of Social Services spokeswoman Debra Scott declined comment.