Woman charged for alleged abuse of an autistic child
JERSEY SHORE, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police have charged a woman from Lycoming County after she allegedly abused an autistic child.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, 24-year-old Jeanette Nicole Hunsberger had been temporarily fostering a child for about 10 months.
Court documents state that during the 10 months, the biological mother and stepfather of the child raised several concerns that the child was being abused.
Officials say during the period the child was with Hunsberger she was told to take photos of any injuries the child received while in her care. The affidavit states one injury that stuck out to investigators was an injury to the leg which appeared to be an adult hand print.
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Troopers said Hunsberger told officials she usually “smacks” the child when she touches things she is not supposed to or things that can hurt her.
Two child abuse experts went over the photos taken and explanations given by Hunsberger during the period the child spent there and confirmed the injuries were “highly suggestive of child physical abuse concerning with child physical abuse, or repetitive child physical abuse,” court documents state.
State police said one child abuse expert noted the injuries the child sustained would have caused lasting pain.
State police have charged Hunsberger with 11 counts of endangering the welfare of a child and 11 counts of simple assault.
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