McMinn County mom charged with child abuse

Arkansas-North Carolina Live Blog

The mother of an 8 year-old boy in McMinn County has been indicted on two counts of aggravated child abuse, authorities said.

Michelle Lee, 30, of County Road 50, is accused of burning her son with with a cigarette because he had climbed too high in a tree, said Sheriff Joe Guy.

"The investigation revealed several fresh burns on the child's body, as well as some old burns," Guy said. "The mother confessed to burning the child out of stress and frustration."

Aggravated child abuse is a Class A felony, he said.

The child is currently in the custody of another family member, he said.

Lee was booked into the McMinn County Justice Center on May 25 on a $10,000 bond, and she will face arraignment in Criminal Court on June 4.

Upcoming Events