A South Carolina mother has been charged with felony child abuse after her daughter died from salt poisoning.
Doctors say 23-year-old Kimberly Nicole Martines’ 17-month-old daughter Peyton died from acute intoxication of salt on Wednesday.
According to an indictment obtained by PEOPLE, Peyton was taken to hospital on Sunday and placed on life support. Sadly, doctors were unable to save her and she died on Wednesday.
Martines initially told police she woke up to Peyton screaming after she allegedly fed her baby a tablespoon of salt and “then had her follow through with a drink after that,” according to WSPA.
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“She basically did that to try and get her husband’s attention — to get him back into her life,” the state prosecutor added according The Washington Post.
CBS News reports arrest warrants allege the woman was referred to a doctor in November after concerns her baby wasn’t gaining enough weight. However, Martines ignored the referral.
Martines has two other children, who are now in custody. If convicted, Martines could serve 20 years to life.
