A Starkville woman arrested on a felony child abuse charge Wednesday is accused of locking a foster child outside and refusing to let the child in from the elements.
Court documents said Victoria Jones, 40, locked the four-year-old girl outside “soaking wet” and in the cold for around an hour.
The affidavit said neighbors called police because they heard a child crying and begging to be let inside. Police upon arrival to the scene on Briarwick Drive said the child was shivering and begging to be let into the house.
The report was filed Wednesday night, when temperatures dropped to 34 degrees.
Police also said the child was left on tall stool outside in the dark with a dog she claimed had bitten her before.
Jones was arrested by the Starkville Police Department and transported to the Oktibbeha County Jail with bond set at $5,000. She was charged with one felony count of child deprivation of necessaries resulting in substantial harm.
Jones appeared in municipal court on Thursday, March 9.
If convicted, Jones could face a maximum fine of up to $10,000 and a maximum sentence of five years in prison.