HAMTRAMCK (AP) -- A judge has ordered psychiatric testing for a Hamtramck woman police say abused two of her children, including putting her 4-year-old daughter in a hot oven.
Reyna Valentino has been charged with two counts each of torture and first-degree child abuse. She remained jailed on $1 million bond after Thursday's preliminary hearing was adjourned. A competency hearing tentatively is scheduled for April 2.
Police say the 4-year-old told officers on Jan. 23 that her mother "cooks me like a turkey in the oven." They also say the 40-year-old Valentino beat her 5-year-old daughter's leg with a pry bar.
Defense attorney Raymond Cassar says the torture charges are unjustified because his client, despite being mentally ill, managed to call police and ask for help.
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