Buckley Mother Accused of Pouring Bleach into Infant Daughter's Eyes

News outlets were buzzing this morning at the report of a woman who allegedly poured bleach into her 14-month-old daughter's eyes.

Jennifer L. Mothershead, 29, of Buckley, was arrested Friday and has been charged in Pierce County court with first-degree assault. She made her first court appearance in Tacoma this afternoon and pleaded not guilty to the charge, according to The News Tribune.

Her infant daughter was airlifted to Harborview on May 12, 2011 for a head injury. During their examination, doctors found bruising and eye infection, according to a KOMO 4 News report.

When asked about the eye infection, Mothershead allegedly told police she had been given eye drops for it. When the child was put in protective custody for the head injury after abuse was suspected, hospital staff opened the eyedrop container and smelled a strong odor. The contents of the drops were tested and later determined to contain bleach.

The little girl's eye problems were also determined to be caused by bleach. She has since been removed from her mother's care but may never again regain normal vision. Doctors believe she will experience permanent blindness in one eye.

Mothershead was being held in lieu of $150,000 bail in Tacoma.