Citrus County deputies say a 4-year-old boy and his 5-year-old brother were severely bruised after their mother beat them with a belt and stuck them in a closet for punishment.
Dawn Novak, 30, of Beverly Hills is now facing child abuse charges.
Novak, according to an arrest affidavit, admitted to spanking her sons but denied using a belt on them.
During a medical exam, severe bruises were noted on the 4-year-old boy’s thighs, legs, lower back, genitals, upper back and ankle area. Deputies noted that this boy suffered the most injuries.
Novak reportedly told deputies the 4-year-old is ‘the spitting image of his father’ and that his father abused her during their three year relationship. Then, she explained that the boy’s bruises were the result of him falling on Lego blocks in the bathtub, an arrest report states.
The boys and another sibling were placed with a relative for their protection.
Novak is being held on $5,000 bond.