Woman Arrested in Abuse Case She Reported

ST. PETERSBURG – A 20-year-old St. Petersburg resident was arrested Friday in connection to a child abuse case that she first reported to police.

Nicole Ashley Watkins faces a charge of aggravated child abuse in connection to injuries suffered by a 23-month-old girl.

Detectives say that on Aug. 18 Watkins contacted police at the urging of a child care worker who noticed bruising and injuries on the child.

Watkins told investigators she had noticed the injuries on Aug. 17 but did not call authorities or seek medical care for the child. She claimed the injuries had been caused by another child care worker.

Detectives arrested Watkins for child neglect after hearing her explanation.

The case was forwarded to the Crimes Against Children Unit for
investigation.

Detectives say they determined that Watkins had on various occasions, excessively and maliciously punished the child by beating her and leaving marks and bruises on the child's chest, arms, buttocks and legs.

Watkins was arrested Friday morning for aggravated child abuse and booked at the Pinellas County Jail.