MONROE — A Monroe woman has been charged with felony child abuse after allegedly hitting and shoving her young son.

According to a criminal complaint, an investigation was launched against the 42-year-old mother, after she brought her juvenile child to SSM Monroe Health Emergency Department just before 9 p.m. on September 9. There, the boy told investigators — alerted by medical staff required to report suspicious injuries — what had caused visible injuries, according to a criminal complaint recently filed in Green County Circuit Court.

“I observed (the victim) to have bruising around his right eye socket area,” an investigator said, in the complaint. “I asked (the victim) what happened. (the victim) said mom… hit him.”

As a result of the investigation, Lisa M. Miller was charged with a single count of felony abuse of a child.

The boy may also have suffered a small burn, possible from a torch-type lighter of some kind, though it is unclear how he got the injury — as the boy in the complaint is accused by his mother of “almost burning the residence to the ground.”

Police reportedly found burn marks in the home’s bathroom and interviewed others about the case. Green County Department of Human Services also joined area police detectives in the probe.

For her part, Miller repeatedly denied any of the alleged abuse during interviews with authorities, according to the complaint.

“… Lisa said she had no idea what happened to (the victim’s) face,” said the complaint. “Lisa was advised the bruising on Lucas’ face was very obvious. Lisa said she threw (the boy) on to the bed, but there was not anything on the bed that would cause bruising…”

But in the complaint the boy reportedly told investigators that” …mom ‘hit him in the face’ ... (and) while saying this, (he) made a fist and made a punching motion towards his right eye socket area.”

The status of the victim following the hospital visit is unknown, as cases involving juvenile victims are sealed. But typically, alleged victims are placed into child protective custody. And it’s also unclear whether Miller intends to try to retain custody or care for the child again, despite the outcome of a future trial.

“… Lisa told us (that another party mentioned in the complaint) can keep the children and she did not want her children back.”

If convicted, Miller faces a maximum potential sentence of six years in state prison, and a fine. She is free on a $2,500 signature bond. Miller was also ordered to have no contact with four children — identified by their initials only in court records.

She is scheduled to appear in court again for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. on October 2 before Circuit Judge Jane Bucher.