UPDATE: Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The owner of a northern New Jersey tanning salon denies that a mother caused skin burns to her young child by putting her in a tanning booth.

Patricia Krentcil faces a second-degree child endangerment charge. Through her attorney, she pleaded not guilty in Newark Municipal Court on Wednesday morning. Krentcil is free on $2,500 cash bond.

The owner of City Tropics Salon in Nutley says employees who were there on the day in question told him the then-5-year-old girl remained outside with her father and brother and didn't go into the tanning booth. She has since turned 6.

It is against New Jersey law for anyone under 14 to use a tanning salon.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

A New Jersey mom is in a courtroom to face charges of taking her 5-year-old daughter into a stand-up tanning booth, where authorities say the girl suffered burns.

Patricia Krentcil is charged with child endangerment.

Nutley Police Det. Anthony Montanari told The Record newspaper police were called to an elementary school on April 24 because the kindergartener was experiencing pain as a result of a "pretty severe sunburn."

The 44-year-old mother, who is very tan, has told various TV stations her daughter was in the room at the tanning salon, but not the booth.

New Jersey law prohibits anyone under the age of 14 from using tanning salons.

Krentcil posted $25,000 bond and was released to authorities in Camden County, where she had an outstanding warrant on a municipal charge.