ANCHORAGE, Alaska—Prosecutors say an Alaska woman committed child abuse by squirting hot sauce in the mouth of her adopted Russian son in a case that was came under international scrutiny after a “Dr. Phil” episode.

Cynthia Franklin told a jury Wednesday that Jessica Beagley was punishing the boy for lying about getting in trouble in school. Franklin also says Beagley made the boy to stand naked in a cold shower for getting in trouble.

Beagley is charged with misdemeanor child abuse. Her lawyer says she was not being cruel when punishing her son, but was desperate to address difficult behavior.

“Dr. Phil” viewers alerted Anchorage police after an episode aired that included a videotape of Beagley punishing her son.

By MARY PEMBERTON Associated Press. Photo