Woman accused of child abuse in severely underweight baby

An Augusta woman charged with cruelty to children after her 7-month-old baby was found weighing only six pounds appeared in Richmond County Magistrate Court Monday.

Veronica M. Mims, 20, is charged with cruelty to children in the first degree and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

The baby is hospitalized and suffering from significant malnutrition. At seven months the average weight for a girl should be 17 pounds, according to the World Health Organization.

Sims will be held in jail until bond is set by a Superior Court judge.