CAPE MAY, N.J. (WKRC) – A mother and her mother have been arrested on child abuse charges after allegedly forcing a child to wear a dog shock collar “at all times in the home,” NBC10 and WPVI reported.
Kimberly Cruz-Feliciano, 30, and her mother, Sonia Feliciano, 59, were taken into custody after the child arrived at school with “visible marks on their body” on March 17, according to NBC10. Authorities said that the injuries were caused by an electric dog shock collar that belonged to the family's deceased pet.
According to a criminal complaint WPVI reported, the child reportedly wore the collar “at all times in the home.” The collar was kept in a bedroom with other items belonging to the dog and was “charged regularly” after the dog's death.
The Cape May County Prosecutor's Office said the child was threatened with further violence by the mother if they disclosed the abuse, WPVI reported.
Kimberly faced charges including two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, one count of first-degree witness tampering with threat of force and one count of third-degree hindering.
Sonia was charged with fourth-degree tampering with evidence and hindering.
