Joplin mom facing charges in horrific child abuse case

Investigators are calling it “child torture”. A 24-year-old mother from Joplin is facing several charges after she allegedly abused and medically neglected her 3-year-old daughter.

Investigators say Celia Lara-Licon had been abusing the girl for 18 months. Medical professionals say the girl had fractures to nine bones, a bruise across her forehead, was lethargic, severely dehydrated, nonverbal, weighed just 25 pounds and suffering from pancreatitis and kidney failure.

Lara-Licon is facing two counts of first-degree domestic assault, two counts of abuse or neglect of a child and one count of first-degree child endangerment. She will have a bond reduction hearing April 1st. She’s currently being held on no bond.