An Akron mother pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges stemming from the scalding of her 2½-year-old daughter last year.
Monique T. Smith, 26, pleaded guilty to felonious assault and child endangering, both second-degree felonies. She will be sentenced at 2 p.m. Aug. 9 by Summit County Common Pleas Judge Amy Corrigall Jones.
Prosecutors say Smith’s daughter was treated July 11, 2015, for first- and second-degree burns to her buttocks and feet. She remained in the hospital for about a week.
Investigators determined the girl’s burns were consistent with being held down in scalding hot water, according to James Pollack, a spokesman for the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.
Smith didn’t say much while entering her guilty pleas, answering Jones’ questions quickly and succinctly.
Prosecutors have agreed to merge Smith’s two offenses, meaning she will only be sentenced for one. Both charges carry a potential penalty of two to eight years in prison.
Jones ordered a victim-impact statement and photograph’s showing Smith’s daughter’s current condition. She also ordered that a representative of Summit County Children’s Services attend Smith’s sentencing hearing.
Jones granted permission for Smith to attend supervised therapy sessions with her daughter, but stopped short of allowing her visitation. The judge warned Smith that any problems with her behavior would have a “bad impact” on her sentencing.
Walter Madison, Smith’s attorney, declined comment after his client entered her pleas Wednesday.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @swarsmithabj and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/swarsmith.