Stepmom's cruel punishment: Salt and hot sauce in child's mouth: Police report

A Florida woman faces accusations of severely abusing her 8-year-old stepdaughter, leading to the child's hospitalisation. 

Authorities report that she allegedly forced salt and hot sauce into the girl's mouth and jumped on her back.

"While the child was on the floor, Melirose walked over her back, leaping up and down, causing her considerable discomfort," the Broward County Sheriff's Office mentions in Melirose Joncky's arrest document. 

The report, shared on Tuesday, involves statements given by the stepdaughter to officers. The 42-year-old is charged with child abuse and child neglect.

"Then Melirose seized the back of her head and banged it against the floor, resulting in a large bruise on her forehead," the document states. 

"The child said Melirose used phone chargers to strike her, which she claimed caused multiple cuts on her arms, legs, back, and face."

Joncky's stepdaughter also described being allegedly choked until she struggled to breathe. On various occasions, Joncky reportedly hit her with kitchen items, according to the girl.

"The child explained that Melirose used a kitchen knife and a pot to strike her head," the report states. "Another form of punishment included forcing an entire bottle of hot sauce into her mouth, along with a handful of salt."

The situation was uncovered when an elementary school counselor contacted the sheriff's office, reporting that the daughter appeared with "two black eyes, a prominent forehead contusion, dried blood from her ears, and numerous scratches on her arms and neck," as mentioned in the arrest report.

The girl was initially taken to Coral Springs Medical Center and subsequently transferred to Broward Health Medical Center for treatment, as stated by the sheriff's office. Her injuries included fractured ribs, broken arm and feet, and scalp hematomas.

Authorities indicate the child told them Joncky would "apply hot sauce to her injuries." Medical experts noted she had marks "consistent with a phone cord," the arrest report reads.

After being read her Miranda rights, Joncky was interviewed about the alleged harm and denied any physical contact with her stepdaughter. 

"She claimed that the child had acne, which led to her injuries," the report states. "Regarding the black eyes, she said the child accidentally collided with a wall."

Joncky faced a judge last Friday and was ordered to remain in custody without bail.

"I've never encountered anything like this before," commented the judge presiding over her case, according to the local ABC affiliate WPLG. "Based on the allegations in [the report], I have significant worries about the victim's safety."

A date for Joncky's subsequent court appearance has yet to be scheduled.