A Florida mother is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly burning her 10-year-old daughter while the child was restrained in a chair, then attempting to explain away the injuries as a kitchen accident. Gineth Ramirez, 35, of Hialeah, has been charged with aggravated child abuse with torture, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime.
Background
The investigation began when law enforcement responded to a Hialeah school on Sept. 9 following allegations made by the young victim. The girl told investigators that her mother burned her on her arms and legs as punishment because she "misbehaves." Physical evidence supported the child's account, with the affidavit noting burn marks on the girl’s forearm, shin, and the inside of her upper thigh.
According to the police report, the girl described a disturbing pattern of discipline. She stated that her mother forces her to sit in a chair and ties her hands behind her back using a rope or handcuffs before inflicting the burns. This detailed account from the victim provided the initial framework for the investigation into the domestic abuse allegations.
The Charges
Ramirez was arrested and taken into custody by the Miami-Dade County Jail. During the investigation, Ramirez allegedly invoked her Miranda rights and offered an alternative explanation for at least one of the injuries. She claimed that approximately two weeks prior, the two were in the kitchen making flan. Ramirez stated the victim wanted a taste, so she handed the girl a spoon with the hot dessert and instructed her to blow on it.
Ramirez alleged that the girl dropped the spoon, which fell on her leg and caused a burn. However, investigators noted that Ramirez had no explanation for the other burn marks found on the child's body. When confronted with the additional injuries, Ramirez reportedly claimed she "never even knew about them." Despite the physical evidence of restraint, Ramirez allegedly denied tying the girl down, stating she only makes her daughter sit and face a wall. She also denied hitting the victim as part of her disciplinary methods.
Key Takeaways
- Gineth Ramirez, 35, is charged with aggravated child abuse with torture.
- The victim, a 10-year-old girl, reported being tied to a chair with rope or handcuffs before being burned.
- Investigators found burn marks on the victim’s forearm, shin, and inner upper thigh.
- Ramirez allegedly blamed one injury on a dropped spoon of flan but could not account for the others.
- Ramirez is currently being held without bond at the Miami-Dade County Jail.
What's Next
Ramirez has a bond hearing scheduled for Tuesday morning. Her arraignment hearing is set for Oct. 13. The case remains under investigation by local authorities in Hialeah, with the prosecution expected to move forward based on the physical evidence and the victim's statements.
The narrative of the cooking mishap appears to conflict with the multiple burn sites identified by investigators, a discrepancy that will likely be central to the legal proceedings. As the case moves from arrest to arraignment, the court will determine the conditions of Ramirez's release and the next steps in the prosecution of this domestic abuse case.