Police: Westwood mom assaulted child with electric hedge clippers

WESTWOOD, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – A Westwood woman is facing an attempted murder charge after she allegedly attacked her 9-year-old daughter with a set of electric hedge clippers at their home Monday.

Police say 39-year-old Maureen Mullin and her daughter were taken to the hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

According to police, the incident occurred at about 5 a.m. at the family's home located at 126 Pond St. in Westwood. The alleged attacked happened in the girl's bedroom with her 5-year-old sister nearby.

Chief Jeff Silva said the girl's father stepped in to stop the attack after he heard screams.

As he approached the locked door, the report says, "he could hear the sound of one of his daughter's saying, ‘Why are you doing this, mommy?'"

When he opened the door, he saw his wife "had her arm around their daughter and the hedge trimmer machine was running near her face," the report says.

Mullin stopped the attack by unplugging the clippers; however, the 9-year-old's thumb was cut so badly it was near amputation.

Mullin reportedly threatened to commit suicide following the incident.

The other daughter was unharmed, and the 9-year-old is expected to make a full recovery.

Mullin is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing next week. She is facing various charges, including attempted murder, assault and battery on a child and mayhem.

Police did not say what sparked the situation, but a responding officer said when he arrived Mullin "kept stating the words, ‘I just want us all to be together.'" He also notes in the report that Mullin is being medically treated for depression.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group