Stepmom Accused of Using Salt and Hot Sauce in Disturbing Punishment of Young Child, Say Police

In a harrowing case out of Florida, a woman is facing serious accusations of abuse against her 8-year-old stepdaughter, allegedly inflicting such severe harm that the young girl required hospitalization. Authorities report that the woman, identified as Melirose Joncky, subjected the child to shocking cruelty, including pouring salt and hot sauce into her mouth and using her back as a makeshift trampoline.

The Broward County Sheriff’s Office revealed details from Joncky’s arrest report on Tuesday. The document, which includes statements from the stepdaughter, accuses Joncky of walking on the girl’s back and jumping on her, actions that inflicted significant pain. These charges have led to Joncky, aged 42, being arrested and charged with child abuse and neglect.

The arrest report also describes a disturbing incident where Joncky allegedly grabbed the child’s head and forcefully slammed it into the ground, leaving a large abrasion on her forehead. The girl further recounted to police that Joncky used phone chargers as weapons, striking her and causing multiple cuts and bruises across her arms, legs, back, and face.

In addition to these allegations, the young girl reported being choked by Joncky to the point of breathlessness. The stepdaughter also described prior episodes where she was struck with kitchen utensils, including being hit on the head with a knife and a pot.

As if these acts weren’t horrific enough, the arrest report notes that Joncky allegedly forced the girl to consume an entire bottle of hot sauce and a mouthful of salt as forms of punishment. These chilling details paint a grim picture of the alleged abuse suffered by the child under Joncky’s care.

The abuse came to light after an elementary school counselor called the sheriff’s office and told them the daughter had come in with “two black eyes, a large contusion on her forehead, dried blood coming from her ears and multiple scratches on her arms and neck,” according to the arrest report.

The girl was taken to Coral Springs Medical Center and then transported to Broward Health Medical Center for treatment, per the sheriff’s office. She was treated for fractured ribs, fractures in her arm and feet, and scalp hematomas.

Police say the girl told investigators that Joncky would “pour hot sauce on her injuries.” Doctors reported that she had ligature marks “consistent with a phone cord,” according to the arrest report.

After receiving her Miranda rights, Joncky was questioned about the alleged abuse and denied getting physical with her stepdaughter. “She stated that [the victim] had acne, which was the cause of her injuries,” according to the arrest report. “When asked about the black eyes, she claimed that [the victim] had accidentally run into a wall.”

Joncky appeared in court last Friday and was ordered held without bond.

“I’ve never read anything like this,” the judge overseeing her case said, according to local ABC affiliate WPLG. “Based upon what’s alleged in [the report], I’ve got serious concerns for the safety of the victim.”

Joncky’s next court date has not been set.