was being abused by her mother.

Mrs Thomas is facing trial in May on four counts of misdemeanour child abuse and neglect and one felony count of abuse for a child under the age of eight. She is charged with abusing five of her 10 children, including Elizabeth. She allegedly bashed Elizabeth’s head against a washing machine and locked her in a basement, according to WTVF-TV.

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/father-of-abducted-tennessee-teen-elizabeth-thomas-files-for-divorce-from-wife/news-story/231bf9492fde0be976896a760450f396