An Anniston woman is now facing felony child abuse charges – after being accused of punching, choking and spanking her boyfriend’s five-year-old son with a belt, last December (2013).

Jessica Joy Baxter turned herself in at the Calhoun County Jail on Friday (January 31st), and was released on a $15,000 bond later that same day.

Lt. John Garlick with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office told the Anniston Star that the alleged abuse occurred in a home on Gallatin Drive where Baxter had been living with her boyfriend and five children.

A Department of Human Resources worker and the victim’s father reported the abuse to deputies in January; the father is not considered a suspect in the case.

Baxter is scheduled to appear in court on February 27th.

(Anniston Star/www.annistonstar.com)