Teen's Navel Piercing Lands Mother In Jail

Girl Had Near-Fatal Infection After Self-Piercing

Authorities have charged a Massachusetts woman whose daughter nearly died after trying to pierce her own navel.Prosecutors say the mother failed to seek medical treatment after the 13-year-old developed a near-fatal infection.Deborah Robinson faces a felony count of permitting bodily injury to a child under 14, and a misdemeanor count of child endangerment.Authorities say the girl was likely in extreme pain within a day or two after the start of her infection, which caused organ damage.

She was hospitalized last week after family members called paramedics to the home, where she was found emaciated and near death.Prosecutors say she remains in critical but stable condition and is being given large doses of antibiotics.A judge has also ordered the mother to undergo a mental evaluation.