A Howard County employee was indicted yesterday on four criminal counts of assaulting her 76-year-old mother on Mother's Day.

Joann Charlton of the 16500 block of Old Fredrick Road in Mount Airy was charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and false imprisonment.

Charlton had her mother, Ruth May Hanft, over to her home May 11 to celebrate Hanft's birthday and Mother's Day, according to court documents.

During the celebration, Charlton, 46, got drunk and Hanft was beaten, kicked and bitten, according to documents.

When Hanft tried to leave, Charlton took her purse and keys and the abuse continued, authorities said.

Charlton let Hanft go about 3 p.m. May 12. When Hanft returned home, she called a neighbor who then alerted police.

Hanft, who was taken to a hospital, suffered fractured orbital bones, a fractured left hand, injuries to her liver and several loose teeth, according to authorities.

Charlton is on leave from her job as an administrative aide in the county Department of Planning and Zoning.

She has posted a $100,000 bail bond. A date for her trial has not been set.