HAVELOCK — A heavily tattooed mother is in trouble with the law after giving her 11-year-old daughter a tattoo.

Odessa Clay, 30, said she didn't know that tattooing a minor is illegal even with a parent's permission. Clay gave her daughter a small, heart-shaped tattoo near her right shoulder. She says the girl asked for the tattoo.

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Havelock Police charged Clay with tattooing a person under 18.

Clay now lives near Grantsboro in Pamlico County.

Clay used her own tools and said she numbed her daughter's arm. She says she tattooed the outline of a heart and didn't fill in the entire shape.

The mother said she believes an ex in-law reported the tattoo to retaliate against her.

Clay is due in court on the tattooing charge next month.