Woman Charged for the Abuse of a Special Needs Child
By Joe Bachman
A 30-year-old woman who faces charges of child abuse after police say she slapped a 6-year-old girl.
Amberlea Piwonski, of Wisconsin Rapids, is charged with physical abuse of a child. According to police reports on Dec. 8 an officer met with an employee of the Human Services Department of Wisconsin Rapids at Woodside Elementary School. She received reports of bruises on the buttocks and face found on a 6-year-old girl when receiving special assistance, who has Downs Syndrome.
After a medical evaluation of the child, the doctor concluded that the bruise on the child was consistent with a slap to the face. An officer met with Piwonski, who admitted that she becomes frustrated with the girl due to complications with her Downs Syndrome and slapped her.
If convicted, Piwonski faces up to six years imprisonment and $10,000 in fines.
UPDATE: Piwonski has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 17, 2016.
