West Park, FL - A South Florida mother has been arrested on aggravated child abuse after allegedly smearing feces on her son.
Authorities say 39-year-old Tania Contreras has been arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse.
According to court documents, deputies say Contreras subjected her son to horrific abuse.
An investigation into Contreras began after a tip to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) child abuse hotline on May 11th.
A DCF investigator visited Contreras' residence and reviewed a video on her phone that reportedly showed Contreras' son, whose age is not specified, covered in feces and crying.
An arrest report details Contreras' admission to recording the abuse as punishment for her son soiling himself.
Contreras reportedly stated she intended to deter him from repeating the behavior.
The report alleges Contreras admitted to additional instances of physical abuse, including using a belt and her cellphone to strike her son.
Contreras reportedly justified her actions by claiming physical punishments are commonplace in her native Venezuela.
Contreras was arrested on Tuesday and is currently being held in the North Broward Bureau jail facility on a $15,000 bond.
An immigration hold is also placed on her case.