A Mahoning Township woman, who was accused of striking her daughter with a wooden baseball bat because she clogged the toilet, pleaded guilty in Carbon County court on Thursday.

She was one of four defendants in pending criminal cases to enter a plea before Judge Steven R. Serfass.Christine Mertz, 40, pleaded to one count of simple assault.Police were called to the Mertz home at 111C Jamestown St. on April 27. The daughter told officers that she was struck by a wooden baseball bat by her mother. The police report stated that the girl was struck twice, once on the right arm and once on the right leg. The girl said her mother struck her because she had caused the toilet to malfunction.The police also said the girl claimed she was bitten by her mother two times and that she was punched with a closed fist about 10 times.The girl was not seriously injured.Serfass accepted the plea but deferred sentencing, ordering the adult probation to prepare a presentence investigation report.Other pleasOther defendants who entered guilty pleas included:Steven Robert Wright, 23, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of criminal conspiracy-theft.He was charged by Palmerton police on Aug. 12 for entering various vehicles in the borough and removing items.Serfass sentenced him to time served (nine days) to one day less 24 months in the county prison and ordered he supply a DNA sample and render 100 hours of community service.Jeremy Brooks Whiteman, 35, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of resisting arrest.He was arrested for an incident on Aug. 10 at 939 Mauch Chunk Road by Palmerton police.Serfass placed him on probation for 24 months and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, zero tolerance imposed on D&A use, and render a total of 100 hours of community service.Michael Balogach Jr., 34, of Lehighton, pleaded to counts of harassment and criminal mischief, both summary offenses.He was arrested on Jan. 25 at 424 Mahoning St. by Lehighton police, who responded to a report of disturbance at the residence. In a plea agreement, counts of simple assault against Paula Sebelin and Patrick McLaughlin were dropped.Serfass imposed a fine of $300 on each count.Each defendant sentenced must also pay court costs, which average about $1,000, and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.