Daycare owner charged after cops say she beat girl with belt

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) – A Gainesville daycare owner has been arrested after authorities say she beat a girl with belt for soiling her pants.

According to an arrest report Ethel Mae Norman was charged with child abuse Friday. A mother told police that one of her three children said Norman got angry at the 2-year-old for going to the bathroom in her pants. The mother says she found several abrasions and welts on her daughter’s leg and back.

One of the children told police they saw Norman, 69, grab a belt and take the girl to the bathroom, where the child started screaming.

The Gainesville Sun (http://tinyurl.com/pvw262f ) reports Norman told police she placed the girl in the bathroom, but denied hitting her with a belt. An officer found a belt similar to the one the witness described in Norman’s room and found welts and marks on the girl.

State child welfare officials closed the day care while the investigation is open.