Lexington Park, MD— On March 16, St.Mary’s Child Protective Services notified St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division Det. Robert Merritt, of a report of suspected child abuse involving a 5-year-old victim.
During the victim’s interview, she advised, “the morning of the incident the victim was in her bedroom her mother identified as Daniela C. Hancock, 30, of Lexington Park got mad at her and struck her in the face,” according to charging documents.
During Merritt’s contact with the victim, he noticed she had redness and bruising around both eyes from being struck by her mother this morning.
Merritt made contact with Hancock, who was asked how the marks around the victim’s eyes occurred. She claimed, “the marks were from the victim’s allergies, and she woke with the marks,” according to charging documents. Merritt was read her Miranda Rights, and admitted, “to losing her temper with the victim the morning of the incident. Hancock admitted to striking the victim once in the face with an open hand, which caused the redness/bruising visible around the victim’s eyes,” according to charging documents.
Hancock was charged with second-degree child abuse. Hancock at this time does not have a scheduled court date. Hancock faces a maximum jail sentence of 15 years.
Contact Charles Seifert at c.seifert@thebaynet.com