A Gentry Road woman is facing aggravated child abuse charges after police said she whipped her daughter first with a switch and then with a branch.
The charge was brought against Melissa Kendale Branch.
Police said the parents were upset that the daughter was continuing to talk with a boy she was told to stay away from.
Officers said she had several welts on her arm from the wrist to the shoulder.
She was taken to the hospital to be checked for broken bones.
According to the girl, her father told the mother to go outside and get a switch. After the switch broke, he told her to get something bigger.
The girl called police after going to a neighbor's house.