A 42-year-old Broward County woman is behind bars without bond after authorities uncovered a pattern of extreme physical abuse involving her 8-year-old stepdaughter.
Melirose Joncky faces charges of child abuse and child neglect following a harrowing report from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office that details torture-like punishments.
The investigation began after a counselor at the girl’s elementary school noticed the child had two black eyes, a large forehead contusion, and dried blood in her ears.
The girl was rushed to Coral Springs Medical Center and later moved to Broward Health Medical Center, where doctors treated her for fractured ribs, broken bones in her arm and feet, and hematomas on her scalp.
According to the arrest report made public Tuesday, the victim told investigators that Joncky used her body like a “human trampoline.”
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“While [the victim] was on the ground, Melirose walked on her back, jumping up and down, causing her pain,” the sheriff’s office alleges in the report. The child also claimed Joncky slammed her head into the floor, choked her until she couldn’t breathe, and struck her with kitchen knives, pots, and phone chargers.
The report describes a series of “punishments” that included Joncky allegedly forcing an entire bottle of hot sauce and mouthfuls of salt into the girl’s mouth. Police say the girl further alleged that Joncky would pour hot sauce directly onto her open wounds. Medical staff noted ligature marks on the child that were consistent with being tied or struck by a phone cord.
During questioning, Joncky denied any physical abuse. She told investigators that the girl’s various injuries were actually caused by acne and claimed the two black eyes occurred when the child accidentally ran into a wall.
Joncky appeared in court last Friday, where the presiding judge expressed shock at the allegations. “I’ve never read anything like this,” the judge said, according to local WPLG. “Based upon what’s alleged in [the report], I’ve got serious concerns for the safety of the victim.”
Joncky remains in custody as she awaits her next court appearance.
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