Wisconsin Mother, Grandmother Accused of Burning 17-Month-Old Baby’s Feet and Ankle With Curling Iron

A Wisconsin mother and grandmother are facing child abuse charges after they allegedly brought a 17-month-old toddler into the hospital who was suffering from deep second-degree burns, reportedly caused by a curling iron, according to authorities.

On Sept. 12, April Smith, 50, and her daughter, Ellie Sheehan, brought the toddler to Saint Vincent Hospital in Green Bay with “blisters” on the bottom of the baby’s feet, according to court documents obtained by WBAY.

Sheehan allegedly told authorities she thought the blisters were from too-small boots.

However, hospital staff believed the blisters were from “potential non-accidental trauma,” so they referred the case to a pediatric critical care physician, court documents state.

Officials said Sheehan and her mother argued with each other about how the little girl was burned, accusing each other.

According to court documents, Smith told police that Sheehan once pushed her while she was holding the girl and claimed that her daughter was a drug user.

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Meanwhile, Sheehan mentioned there were curling irons at her mother’s house, and doctors said the measurements of the curling irons may match the injuries on the girl, according to the documents.

Smith recently was charged with felony child abuse and after further investigation. On Oct. 24, her daughter, Sheehan, was charged with child abuse and obstruction, WBAY reported.

Investigators said they found Sheehan’s DNA on one of the curling irons.