Mom accused of child abuse for slamming on car brakes

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (KGO) -- A Florida woman faces child abuse charges for the way she tried to get her kids to stop fighting.

Police say Lorena Simpson slammed on the brakes to get her children, who were in the backseat, to stop arguing. But her 12-year-old daughter in the front seat wasn't buckled in, and slammed her head into the windshield.

Sullivan says she had no idea anything was wrong until police showed up three days later.

"I didn't on purpose or intentionally harm my daughter, you understand," she said with a sigh. "If she ever once complained to me and said, 'hey mom I think I have a headache,' (but) she didn't. I'm heartbroken. My kids are gone."

Investigators say the 12-year-old complained of dizziness and a headache.

All three kids are now in their father's custody.