Upper Dublin Mom Headed To Jail For Abusing Adoptive Daughter

NORRISTOWN, Pa (CBS) — A Montgomery County mother is headed to county prison for at least eight months after admitting that she caused injuries – including first and second degree burns – to the young daughter she adopted from Russia when the girl was three-years-old.

Theresa McNulty told the court she accepted responsibility for causing the injuries to her young daughter, but said she never intentionally meant to hurt the child.

The 53-year-old Upper Dublin woman pleaded guilty to child endangerment and simple assault and was sentenced to eight to 23 months in jail followed by four-years probation.

Prosecutor Samantha Cauffman said the sentence is the culmination of two years of work to try to give a voice to the child.

“To see her abuser taken away in handcuffs today was very rewarding for the commonwealth,” said Cauffman. “And I hope even though this little girl will never know it, I hope that she has a happier life because of it.”

Cauffman said the child is thriving in a foster home and she will do all she can as a prosecutor to make sure she’s never reunited with McNulty.

The child suffered bruising on her body and was scalded in a bathtub.