Prosecutors allege that Lugin abused the child from November 2007—the child's birth— to April 2014.
VERNON--A grand jury indicted a Vernon woman on Wednesday for allegedly forcing her child to have "unnecessary and potentially harmful" surgeries and tests.
Malinda Lugin, 36, faces a charge of endangering the welfare of a child by convincing doctors to perform "invasive medical care" on her, including tests, surgeries and the installation of a feeding tube, the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office said in a release. Authorities wouldn't go into details about the tests or surgeries. Prosecutors allege that Lugin abused her daughter from November 2007--the child's birth-- to April 2014.
RELATED: $50K bail kept in Vernon Munchausen child abuse case
The allegations constitute what is sometimes referred to as "Munchausen by proxy" case, officials said. Such cases involve caretakers who purposely harm a child in order to create attention or draw sympathy.
A state Superior Court judge lowered Lugin's bail from $50,000 to $20,000 in late June, and jail representatives indicated that Lugin posted bail on June 29. An attorney for Lugin, Janine Cerra, has not yet returned a call seeking comment.
Kathryn Brenzel may be reached at kbrenzel@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @katiebrenzel. Find NJ.com on Facebook
