HOUSTON -- A nurse hired to help care for a 5-year-old special needs girl in Conroe stands accused of abusing the child, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

Kathy Giddens, 63, was placed behind bars and charged her with injury to a child, a third-degree felony.

Investigators said the girl's mother caught Giddens hitting her daughter Lauryn Williams, who suffers from cerebral palsy and cannot walk or talk, while she was wearing a medical vest.

"Basically, I just walked in on the nurse hitting my child," said Lauryn's mother, Lacoshia Williams.

Conroe Police Department spokesman Bob Berry said Giddens admitted to hitting the girl.

"This is a unique case because the child has some special needs. She apparently, allegedly struck the child with her open hand trying to calm (Lauryn) down and keep her in the vest," Berry told KPRC Local 2.

Special Kids Care, the company that hired Giddens, blamed her for what happened and has fired her. The company said they do criminal background checks and that the check on her showed no problems.

As for now, Williams is Lauryn's only caretaker. She told KPRC Local 2 that she needs help but is afraid to let anyone else near her daughter.

"You have to be careful who you let into your home. You can't trust anyone. They can smile in your face, and stab you in the back, abuse your child," Williams said.