A 10-month-old baby girl was allegedly circumcised by her 35-year-old mother who was arrested yesterday and charged with child cruelty and female genital mutilation.

The metro Atlanta, Ga., woman, Melody Onyonyor, was taken in to custody following the results of an investigation by the Troup County Sheriff's Office and the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). Apparently, a relative of the baby's father had tipped off investigators, after they had changed the infant's diaper and noticed that the child's genitals had been severely cut.

The baby was immediately taken to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, where she was examined by physicians. According to police records, the child's clitoris had been removed by some type of surgical cut. Doctors also state the infant appears to be healthy otherwise.

The child's father was given temporary custody of the child until the investigation has been completed. Case workers at the Department of Family and Child Services in LaGrange state that the suspect had three other children, but they cannot reveal where they are at this time.

Onyonyor will have her first court appearance today, at which time a possible bond will be set.

Female genital mutilation (FGM), is a procedure that alters or injures female organs for non-medical benefits. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 100 to 140 girls worldwide are victims of this practice. FGM is typically carried out on young girls from infancy to age 15. The procedure which is internationally recognized as a violation of the rights of girls and women is most often done in parts of Africa, where currently 92 million girls have undergone FGM.