A distressing incident unfolded in Alabama when a child ran down a street pleading for assistance, prompting police to discover that their mother had used bear spray on them and their sibling, according to authorities.

Christie Williams, aged 36, faces charges of child torture or willful abuse, as indicated by Jefferson County Jail records examined by Law&Crime. Her arrest and subsequent booking took place on Monday.

The events transpired on March 8 around 1:45 p.m., when a child was seen frantically running along the 7100 block of Wood Carriage Lane in Leeds, Alabama, crying for help, stated charging documents cited by AL.com. An emergency call was made, noting the child’s eyes were irritated and her face appeared swollen.

“She was desperately seeking help,” recounted Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin. Officers from the Leeds Police Department responded promptly, visiting the child’s residence and transporting both her and her sibling, both in elementary school, to a nearby hospital for medical assessment.

The children reportedly informed authorities that their mother had sprayed bear spray into their eyes and mouths.

“It’s appalling,” Irwin expressed to the local news outlet. “Using a deterrent meant for bears as a form of punishment on children is unacceptable. It’s not intended for human use.”

Bear spray is typically considered stronger than traditional pepper spray, and, if used at very close range, can cause permanent eye damage.

Williams was arrested on Monday. She allegedly stated that her children were being unruly.

She was released on $15,000 bond hours after being booked in the jail. The children were reportedly placed in the custody of child welfare workers.