Madison, Wisconsin - The parents of a 14-year-old Madison girl are accused of beating, choking and kicking their daughter in what a detective says is the worst case of child abuse he's seen.

A criminal complaint charges Minerva Lopez with 16 counts of child abuse. Her husband, Porfirio Olivas-Lopez is charged with 11 counts of abuse.

The complaint says the girl's mother beat her daughter with a broomstick, a metal rod, a frying pan and other objects. Prosecutors say Lopez admitted scalding the girl with hot water, choking her, cutting her wrist with a kitchen knife and biting her face.

Court documents say Olivas-Lopez hit the girl with his fists, kicked and choked her by lifting her off the floor by her neck.

The complaint says the emaciated girl also had broken fingers and a broken knee cap. Detective Robb Hale says the girl is recovering at a local hospital.