NORTH LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A woman is facing child abuse charges after making a 13-year-old boy steal food from stores, the Broward Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday.
BSO spokeswoman Gina Carter said detectives began investigating Marlina Shellman, 32, in March.
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According to an arrest report, Shellman was initially arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor on March 28.
Deputies said Shellman would order a 13-year-old boy to go into stores like Walmart and Walgreens to steal food. Deputies said Shellman would beat the boy if he came out empty-handed.
Shellman's relationship to the boy wasn't immediately released, but deputies said Shellman is listed as the boy's caregiver. They said the child's father is in prison in Georgia.
According to the report, the boy had more than 25 marks and bruises on his body, both old and new.
A Special Victim's Unit detective had been investigating the case for several months before presenting it to the State Attorney's Office. Shellman was picked up on an arrest warrant on Monday.
The BSO's Child Protective Investigations Section has 28 reports for domestic violence and child abuse involving Shellman. Carter said "17 of the reports were closed as verified for abuse."
Carter said Shellman had her children removed from CPIS twice, in March 2007 and in May 2011.
The victim has been placed with relatives since the investigation began in March.
Shellman has an arrest history in Broward County that includes charges of grand theft, domestic violence, battery, resisting arrest without violence and driving with a suspended license.
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