Karyn S. Parrish (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)

A 28-year-old mother in Florida is accused of physically and mentally abusing her young child, even directing and encouraging one of the victim’s siblings to repeatedly whip the child “hard” with a belt. Karyn S. Parrish was taken into custody on Tuesday and charged with one count of felony child abuse in connection with the alleged attacks on the child.

The victim’s gender was not revealed by authorities, and their age was only specified as being “under the age of five.”

According to a news release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and investigators from the Department of Child and Family Services responded to a call at about 1 p.m. on Tuesday requesting a welfare check at a residence located in the Preserve at Sabal Park Apartments in Seffner, Florida, about 10 miles east of Tampa. It was unclear who placed the initial 911 call requesting the welfare check.

Once there, deputies encountered the young victim, who they said “exhibited signs of distress” such as “shaking and crying.” Deputies observed that the child had recently received a new haircut and had a bruise on their cheek nearly two inches in size. When asked what caused the injury, the child allegedly indicated that Parrish was responsible.

“Maybe my mom. Maybe she was slapping me around,” the child said, per the affidavit. “She doesn’t remember,” adding that her mother often “tells her she doesn’t remember things.’”

Investigators said that Parrish later admitted that she had slapped the child at least three times using the palm of her right hand.