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New London – Police charged a city woman Saturday for allegedly assaulting her daughter with an electrical cord and leaving her out in the cold in her underwear after the juvenile had run away earlier in the night.



At 11:41 p.m. Friday, police said they received a report of a 15-year-old runaway. The teen was previously listed as a runaway earlier in the night but had reportedly returned home at 10:15 p.m. Friday.



The juvenile’s mother, Lorna Maldonado, told police her daughter had fled the house wearing only underwear.



All on-duty police resources, including two K9 teams from Waterford, conducted a search of the Anthony. Road and Michael Road area but did not find the girl, according to acting Police Chief Peter Reichard.



The juvenile returned to an unidentified residence later and the resident notified police of the juvenile’s return. Police contacted the juvenile and learned that shortly after her return home, Maldonado assaulted her with an electrical cord and her hands. Maldonado then allegedly dragged the juvenile outside wearing only underwear in 5 degree weather.



The juvenile was able to obtain light clothing from a neighbor and a ride out of the area. The juvenile sustained injuries to her face, hands and the back of her legs, Reichard said.



Maldonado is charged with second-degree assault, risk of injury to a minor and third-degree strangulation. She was held in lieu of a $25,000 bond.

