Mother Of Missing Florida Girl Charged With Child Abuse

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BRADENTON, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) — The mother of a missing Florida child is now facing aggravated child abuse and contempt of court charges.

Thirty-one-year-old Keishanna Thomas was booked into jail on Friday after refusing to answer questions about the whereabouts of 11-year-old Janiya Thomas. The child abuse charges were added Monday.

Child protective services officials went to her Bradenton apartment Friday to take custody of her five children. But they only found four.

Police say Janiya has been missing for a year or more, but authorities didn't know she was missing until Friday.

Police say Keishanna Thomas dropped off a padlocked freezer at her mother's house last week. After Janiya was reported missing, the relatives opened it and found a body inside. Police say it's likely Janiya.

It's unclear whether Thomas has an attorney to contact for comment on the case.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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