Peek Gaddis is accused of breaking her two-month-old baby son's skull and punching him 'a number of times'

A young mother has been accused of punching her two-month-old baby son in the head, breaking his tiny skull after his crying made it difficult for her to sleep.

Police said Peek Gaddis, 22, from Colerain Township in Ohio, USA, had indicated that she punched the tot a number of times on Wednesday.

In a statement read out in court, police said Gaddis "admitted to becoming frustrated with her son because he was crying and making it difficult for her to sleep."

They added: "Ms. Gaddis admitted to striking her son several times with her fist."

The baby suffered several fractures to his skull, one of which caused bleeding on the brain, which can be fatal, reports Fox19.com.

Gaddis, a nurse's aide, has been charged with second-degree felonious assault and is being held on a $15,000 (£9,600) bond at the Hamilton County Jail.

Hamilton County Judge Ted Barry ordered her to have no contact with the baby and two other children.

Gaddis' case will go before a grand jury for possible indictment on June 22.