Cops: woman disciplined boy wth hammer

CHARLEROI, Pa. (AP) - Police have charged a 45-year-old western Pennsylvania woman with using a hammer to discipline her 5-year-old grandson who was also allegedly bound to his bed with plastic zip ties.

Online court records don't list an attorney for 45-year-old Carmen Alexander, of Charleroi, who also doesn't have a listed phone.

She faces a preliminary hearing Jan. 31 after her arrest late Thursday on aggravated assault, unlawful restraint and other charges.

Charleroi Regional Police say they were notified of possible abuse by Washington County child welfare workers on Wednesday and found the boy with bruises, scratches and scars from "head to toe," according to an affidavit they filed with the criminal charges.

The boy told police Alexander hammered his hand as punishment.

Police say the boy also had bite marks from trying to chew his way through the zip ties.