A Kentucky woman has been charged with child abuse after authorities alleged that she gave her 22-month-old son a tattoo. According to court records, police in Adair County responded to a child abuse complaint at a home in Monticello, near the Tennessee border. When officers arrived, they encountered 27-year-old Brook McDaniel and her toddler at the residence.
It was reported that McDaniel allegedly told investigators she was tattooing her own leg when the child approached and placed his arm near the tattoo gun. Authorities said they discovered a small black dot tattoo on the boy’s right forearm, accompanied by redness around the area.
The mother reportedly claimed the toddler “wanted it,” referring to the mark as a “party dot.” Witnesses later told investigators the child had asked for the tattoo.
McDaniel was arrested and charged with fourth-degree assault involving child abuse. Officials from Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services also responded after officers described the living conditions inside the home as “deplorable.”
The case follows another recent child abuse investigation in Wisconsin involving the death of a 1-year-old girl.
Authorities allege 23-year-old Christina Davis gave her infant daughter Fireball whisky to make the child “pass out” while she went to work. The baby was later found unresponsive and pronounced dead at a hospital.
Police said the infant’s 6-year-old sister told investigators her mother referred to the alcohol as “medicine.” The child reportedly identified a small bottle of Fireball whisky when speaking with detectives and said, “I don’t think it is medicine.”
Officers responding to the Milwaukee home shared by Davis and 20-year-old Kevin McCall said the infant was covered in urine and feces when emergency crews arrived. Investigators also described the residence as unkempt and carrying a strong odor.
The investigation into the child’s death remains ongoing.
