A Leesburg mother of three was arrested on March 4 after an investigation by the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Leesburg Police Department.
A Leesburg officer met with an investigator for DCF at an apartment located at 420 Mills St. in response to a report of possible child abuse made by representatives of the Rimes Elementary School. Staff at the school noticed that a 4-year-old autistic boy had bruises on his back. The boy was non-verbal.
When the investigator asked the mother, 24-year-old Chloe E. McGonigal, what had happened to her son she first told the officer and the investigator that the marks were caused as the boy was playing on a swing set three days ago at a relative’s house. She refused to tell the investigator where the relative lived.
The police officer then asked McGonigal to honestly answer the investigator’s questions. She then changed her story and admitted to striking the child with her hand to discipline the child.
A second Leesburg officer arrived to question the mother as the admission to the DCF investigator may have indicated that a criminal abuse may have occurred. When questioned after receiving a Miranda warning, she changed her story again and admitted using a belt on the child as he would continue to act out. She told the officer that the incident happened on March 1, according to the police report.
McGonigal was placed under arrest and was booked at the Lake County Jail. She was released after posting $2,000 bond.
The children were turned over to the DCF investigator who was seeking to place them with a relative.