Mother charged with burning 3-year-old with iron

Asinia Kenyetta Thomas, 32, of 1608 Fayette Ave., was charged with two counts of felony child abuse inflicting bodily injury and one count each of maiming of limbs and felony neglect.

The boy had a large scar on each leg, as well as what appeared to be older burn scars on his legs, authorities said.

The Cumberland County Department of Social Services began investigating Thomas after the child’s teacher noticed the injuries. The DSS findings were referred to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office as a child neglect case.

Thomas was being held Tuesday in the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $100,000 bond.

Detectives said additional charges may be forthcoming.

The case marks the second time in the past month that a Fayetteville mother has been charged after a child was burned with an iron.

Nia Michelle Brooks, 33, of 113-D Vineland Drive, was arrested on May 30 after her 11-year-old daughter was burned on both her arms, the top left thigh and on her right leg near the kneecap.