Police: mom locked runaway teen outside in underwear in cold

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Police say a Connecticut woman assaulted her 15-year-old daughter and locked her out in her underwear after the girl ran away in 5-degree weather.

Police said Lorna Maldonado of New London is charged with second-degree assault, risk of injury to a minor and third-degree strangulation. She's held on $25,000 bond. It's not immediately known if she has a lawyer.

Police said Maldonado reported Friday evening her daughter had run away wearing only underwear.

The girl came back around 10:15 p.m. She told police her mother then hit her with an electrical cord and tried to strangle her, and put outside in her underwear.

Her mother reported her missing again, but police weren't able to find her. She later went home and her mother called police. The girl said a neighbor gave her more clothing and a ride.