A mother who the court was told sprinkled salt and black pepper on her troubled child's private parts had her bail extended on a charge of cruelty to a child.

The woman got the extension on her bail when she appeared in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

When the case was mentioned, attorney-at-law Ann-Marie Jordan submitted that her client was not properly brought before the court.

She told the court her client was charged under the Juvenile Act which has been repealed for several years. Jordan told the court that her client should therefore be released.

However, Resident Magistrate Marcia Dunbar-Green advised the arresting officer to bring the charge under the Child Care and Protection Act.

The court is expected to make further enquiry in the matter and the child who was not present at yesterday's hearing should be taken to the next sitting.

Reports are that the woman was accused of throwing the items on the nine-year-old girl earlier this month. She is scheduled to return to court in December when it will be mentioned.