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Exclusive: Woman Speaks Out About Mother Who Allegedly Duct-Taped Her Child

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Delaware County mother fighting charges she duct-taped her two-year-old daughter to a chair will have to wait to tell her side of the story in a courtroom.

Caira Ferguson's preliminary hearing set for this week has been continued.

In the meantime, a woman contacted Eyewitness News to speak out about Ferguson.

According to the woman who wished to remain anonymous, everyone who knows Ferguson well just wants the 21-year-old mother to learn her lesson and get some help. (CBSPhilly.com's Coverage)

She says Ferguson may be in denial now but those closest to her know Ferguson did what she did thinking it was funny and believing no one would find out.

The picture shows a toddler, wearing only a diaper, bound to a chair with her mouth, hands and feet duct taped. Police later identified the woman also seen in the picture as the girl's mother, Ferguson.

Ferguson told reporters at the time of her arrest in February, "No I did not duct tape my child."

But the woman who wished to speak out said, "I was actually shocked and surprised. I was very disturbed by the picture. I actually heard she did do it and it was no kids there. I heard that there was no children at all."

The woman is referring to the claims Ferguson first made to police that two children visiting her were to blame. Eyewitness News has learned on the night of the duct-taping, Ferguson was instead home with two adult family members and the adults did question  why Ferguson reportedly did what she did but failed to intervene.

In a recent Facebook message to Eyewitness News reporter, Elizabeth Hur, Ferguson said:

"... its [sic] just crazy. Im [sic] sorry Ms. Hur but there is no story… it was no ones [sic] business really but me and my family and its [sic] very sad that im [sic] suffering for something I didn't [sic] even do!!"

The woman responded, "I don't believe that she did it to hurt her daughter but she did it. She just made a stupid mistake."

Police say it was criminal. Despite Ferguson's denial, investigators say they have as evidence a chair from Ferguson's home with remnants of duct tape. In addition, police say Ferguson has admitted to them, she did it.

Thus for now, authorities say the toddler will remain with her godparents.

Reported by Elizabeth Hur, CBS 3

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