A Warrenton woman is facing a felony charge for child abuse after multiple hot line calls were made to the Division of Family Services within a one-year period, according to Warren County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wright. Heather R. Baugh, 28, is charged with one count of child abuse, according to court records. Bond in the case was set at $10,000. According to a probable cause statement, on Nov. 30, 2012, Warrenton police were called to assist on a hot line investigation regarding suspicious injuries to a 3-year-old boy identified in court records only by his initials, A.D.H. Police stated that the child had multiple injuries in various stages of healing, including severe bruises on his back, shoulder area, facial area, ears, groin, chest and a small abrasion on the top of his head. The boy was taken to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center for evaluation, according to court records. On Dec. 1, Dr. Rachel Charney signed an affidavit stating she had probable cause to suspect abuse or neglect on the part of the boy’s parents, legal guardians or caretakers, police stated. During the time period the child allegedly received his injuries, he was in the care and custody of Baugh, according to police. Within approximately one year, six hot line complaints were made to the Division of Family Services in reference to injuries suffered by A.D.H. The injuries included bruising to the ears, groin, legs, face, eyes, back, shoulders and genitals, police stated. Baugh allegedly admitted during an interview with authorities that she recalled spanking the child with her hand on at least two occasions. Additionally, she allegedly stated that she would spank the boy in excess at times. Baugh also stated that the injury to the top of the child’s head could have happened when she allegedly hit him in the head with a “sippy cup,” according to the probable cause statement. She also told authorities that she has physically run into A.D.H. while he walked in the hallway and it would cause him to fall, police stated. There were several occasions when the boy would fall into doorjambs after Baugh ran into him, according to the probable cause statement.

Heather Baugh