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San Antonio mom accused of nearly beating toddler to death

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - A San Antonio woman has been arrested after authorities say she severely beat her 2-year-old daughter and initially lied to cover it up, reports CBS affiliate KENS.

Twenty-six-year-old Emma Rodriguez was arrested Thursday evening, the same night her toddler was rushed to a San Antonio hospital.

Police say they were initially called to the family's home on report of an accident involving a child. Rodriguez reportedly told authorities her older children informed her that her toddler fell in the shower and hit her head. The toddler was unconscious and not breathing when EMS arrived, so she was taken to the hospital.

According to the station, doctors later reported to investigators that the toddler had obvious signs of child abuse and may not survive. If she does live, she'll be left with severe brain damage, doctors reportedly said.

The station reports Rodriguez eventually admitted to hurting the child by violently slapping her in the face and twice throwing her into a crib so hard that she hit her head.

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