A woman caught on CCTV in America beating her child in a car park is believed to be Irish, it emerged today.
Ms Madelyne Gorman Toogood (25) says she lost her temper because she was having a bad day.
Ms Toogood, who is out on bail on a felony battery charge, said she hit her four-year-old daughter Martha in the head and back and pulled her hair - but did not punch her.
Ms Toogood says she is an Irish Traveller who lives in Mishawaka but moves from place to place looking for work.
Footage of the incident on September 13th has been televised nationally in the US. Ms Toogood appears to make punching motions towards her daughter, who is mostly hidden within the vehicle.
She said: "Martha didn't deserve what she got. I just lost my temper."
The girl, who had no visible injuries, was placed in foster care after her mother turned herself over to police.
Authorities say Ms Toogood left Kohl's department store in northern Indiana angry because she was denied a cash refund for two pairs of jeans.
Her lawyer, Mr Steven Rosen, believes the assault took place because Martha misbehaved in the store, taking toys out of packages and wandering away.
Ms Toogood indicated Irish Travelers often feel discriminated against, and "that's why I was nervous" in the department store.
PA