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Charges Dropped Against Woman Accused of Abusing Autistic Daughter

Submitted by Landon Bryce on Fri, 07/27/2012 - 08:01
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Because of her own developmental delays, charges against Janet Lynn Fox, who was accused of abusing her autistic daughter, have been dropped:

"Under the rule governing competency, criminal proceedings must be suspended when the accused is found to be incompetent," county attorney spokesman Dennis Gerhardstein said in a statement. "Since Ms. Fox has significant mental deficiencies, competency cannot be attained."

The child is "out of harm's way," Gerhardstein said.

The case was reported after a school social worker noticed scratches on the girl's face and an apparent cord mark around her neck April 6, 2011, a criminal complaint said.

Fox, then 30, told police that the girl would not sit still while Fox tried to comb her hair.

"She became angry and stressed because she wanted her daughter to look pretty," the complaint said.