The mother of a 3-year-old boy attacked by a bobcat at a Carlsbad zoo is facing a child abuse charge.
KRQE-TV reports that 21-year-old Courtney Hutchins was arrested this week after Carlsbad police determined she acted carelessly for letting her son get too close to a bobcat exhibit.
Police say the boy suffered scratches and punctures to his head requiring eight staples during the March 18 attack.
Witnesses told investigators that Hutchins, her brother and the boy had apparently stepped away from the walkway, crossed the double safety barrier in front of the bobcat exhibit and got up close to the bobcat's enclosure.
Hutchins told police she was only trying to be a good mom.
It was unclear if she had an attorney.
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Information from: KRQE-TV, http://www.krqe.com
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.