Gabriella Olivia Hunter, 29, pleaded guilty to felony child abuse with great bodily injury on Friday. Circuit Judge Keith Kelly issued the sentence,
The crime was reported to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office on Nov. 9, 2018. The victim was treated at Atrium’' Children's Hospital in Charlotte, N.C.,for a severe burn to her hand and bruising about her chest and body.
The victim was hospitalized for a week for treatment. A sibling of the victim told Cherokee County sheriff's deputies Hunter was responsible for the injuries. The sibling told deputies Hunter used a flat iron to burn her sister’s hand. The victim also sustained bruising to her chest and body.
Both the victim and her sister disclosed the abuse during forensic examinations at the Children's Advocacy Center in Spartanburg.
Hunter had no prior criminal record.