I think there is a lot more to this story than what is being told. I agree with the retaliation theory, and that the child never thought about the ramifications of her actions. Seems like a lot of children have no clue, I'll bet that Mom and child had a fight, or the child was told she couldn't do something and did it anyway. Because the punishment was thought to be "unfair" she turned Mom in. Were it me, and when I got out of jail, I would be real temped to show the child just exactly what child abuse was all about.