"Jane Doe" - Age withheld/ Accused: Dianeth Pittman - Clifton CO

A Clifton woman is behind
bars, facing multiple charges in what authorities are calling one of the
worst cases of child abuse they've ever seen.


39-year-old Dianeth Pittman is being held at the Mesa
County Jail without bond. She was arrested Monday on two counts of
child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, a class three felony.




According to an arrest affidavit, the girl -- who
authorities will not identify -- told deputies Pittman was
angry recently and threw her to the ground, causing her face to strike
the floor. She says when she was on the ground, Pittman picked her up
forcefully by the arms and shoved her into the wall.


A pediatric doctor noted she had
several bruises, a black eye, and swelling on the top of her head that
indicated "blunt force trauma." In his report, he marked the injuries
posed a "substantial risk of death" and "substantial risk of permanent
disfigurement."


When asked about other incidents, the girl showed
investigators a scar on her abdomen and told them Pittman had heated a
knife, placed it on her skin, and "branded" her there. She said Pittman
told her is she misbehaved or told anyone, she would be burned again.


Mesa County Coroner Dr. Dean Havlick examined photos
of the scar and said the injury would fit the category of a second or
third degree burn, and posed a "substantial risk of permanent
disfigurement."


"In my 24 years in law enforcement, I've never seen
this severe abuse of a child," said Sgt. Henry Stoffel, an investigator
in the MCSO Complex Crimes Unit.


If you ever suspect a child is being abused, you can call the Child Protection Hotline at (970) 242-1211.


To read the full arrest affidavit, click here:http://media.graytvinc.com/documents/PITTMAN+AFFIDAVIT.pdf
http://www.nbc11news.com/localnews/headlines/121535144.html