Venue change granted in abuse case

A Cape Girardeau woman was granted a change of venue to Mississippi County Monday by Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Lewis.

Cittie L. Wade, 28, of 625 N. Lorimier St., is charged with felony abuse of a child, which carries a maximum seven-year prison sentence and $5,000 fine if convicted.

A school resource officer investigated a complaint of possible child abuse by a Jefferson Elementary School administrator in October, according to Cape Girardeau Police Cpl. Jason Selzer.

The 6-year-old girl reportedly told the officer her mother had whipped her with a belt after she brought home a note from school about her inappropriate behavior,

Quoting from a police report, Selzer said the officer discovered the girl had bruises "too numerous to count ... over the child's entire body."

A probable cause statement filed in the case indicated the girl had marks and bruises to her face, arms, legs, back, neck and abdomen.

She was placed into protective custody and turned over to the state's Department of Social Services Children's Division.