A Mission Hill woman who allegedly shook her 3-year-old daughter violently at a bus stop and then pushed her to the ground was arraigned on an assault and battery charge in the Boston Municipal Court today.
Prosecutors recommended $2000 cash bail be set for YAN FAN ZHU (D.O.B. 12/4/66), further recommending that she be ordered to comply with whatever parenting plans or instructions are provided by the Department of Children and Families and check in weekly with the Department of Probation.

Judge Raymond Dougan, Jr., released Zhu on her own recognizance, declining to order Zhu to abide by any instructions from DCF and declining to order her to check in with Probation. Dougan did order Zhu not to abuse her daughter.

MBTA Transit Police officers responded to the area of Washington and West Brookline streets yesterday for a report of a woman abusing a child. Multiple witnesses told police that Zhu was “severely abusing” the girl. One of those witnesses described the child as trying to hug Zhu’s leg, prompting Zhu to pick her up by one arm and one leg and violently shake her before throwing her to the ground. One witness called 911; another told a bus driver what had happened.

Boston EMS responded to the scene and transported the child to the nearby Tufts Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. Clinicians were at first concerned with apparent bruising on the child’s spine and shoulders, but later learned that the child has a condition known as Mongolian spots, or skin markings that appear to be bruises but are not related to trauma.

The Department of Children and Families will determine the child’s placement, whether it be inside or outside of the defendant’s home. The defendant is represented by attorney Henry Eaton. She will return to court on Oct. 13.