Detention officer admits hitting juvenile in face

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) - A juvenile detention officer in New Jersey has admitted using excessive force in restraining a handcuffed girl.

Katria Thorne-Stevenson on Tuesday pleaded guilty to simple assault and agreed to resign from her job at the Morris County Juvenile Detention Center.

Prosecutors say the guard struck the juvenile in the face with a closed fist while trying to restrain the girl in November 2016. Prosecutors say the girl sustained a bruise and swelling to her lip.

Thorne-Stevenson faces sentencing in April.