LOUISVILLE, KY – A Louisville mother is facing a charge of attempted murder after authorities say she tried to beat her 6-year-old daughter to death with a hammer, allegedly attacking the child in front of one of her siblings.
Police arrested 40-year-old Zeinab Abdi on Thursday after officers responded to a distress call at a home in the 2900 block of Wilson Avenue. When officers arrived, they found a young girl suffering from multiple blunt force injuries to her head, according to investigators.
Emergency crews quickly transported the severely injured child to Norton Children’s Hospital, where she was admitted in critical condition. Medical staff discovered the girl had sustained several skull fractures and brain bleeds consistent with being struck repeatedly with a heavy object.
Investigators said the attack occurred in the presence of another sibling, who tried to intervene. The sibling recounted that after the assault, Abdi demanded to be allowed to “finish her,” according to details from the investigation.
In a statement made after her arrest, Abdi acknowledged that she frequently becomes “extremely angry” and struggles to control her emotions. She told officers that she had lost her temper and struck her daughter in the head an unknown number of times with a hammer, police reported.
Homicide detectives were called to the scene due to the life-threatening nature of the child’s injuries. Abdi was taken into custody and booked into the Louisville Metro Detention Center soon after. Authorities did not immediately announce details about her bond, but court records showed she was expected to appear for arraignment on Friday morning.
The violent incident has shocked neighbors in the Louisville community, with several expressing disbelief and concern after learning of the accusations. Residents said they did not notice any previous signs of violence at the home and described the news as “terrible” and “heartbreaking.”
The case remains under active investigation as police work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the assault. The child’s condition has not improved as of Friday morning, and officials said she remained in critical care at the hospital.
Police have not released the names of the children involved. Child protective services are assisting with the investigation, and authorities are continuing to interview relatives and witnesses.
No additional information about a possible motive has been released. Abdi remains in custody as the case develops.