Columbia woman charged, accused of hitting her child with extension cord

Jenita Baker has been charged with abuse of a child after officers observed scars on her daughter.

According to the probable cause statement, officers were called to a child abuse investigation at a local middle school.

Officers said they observed several scars and marks on the legs and arm of the girl.

Police said the girl told officers she was struck with an extension cord several times by Baker.

Officers said the girl was crying, visibly upset and having difficulty relaying details of the incident.

According to the Children’s Division investigator, she could easily see the outline of the “plug” part of the extension cord in several spots on the girl.

Police said the girl’s injuries were on her leg, arm and both thighs and consisted of several scars.

When officers found Baker, she told police the incident occurred back in summer, police said.

Police said Baker freely admitted to using a “switch” to discipline the girl.

Baker told officers she would rather “beat” her child rather than have her get in trouble on the streets, police said.