Patricia Krentcil, Tanning Mom, Defends Her Extreme Bronzing (VIDEO)

BURNED BY CRITICISM: Tanning Mom Defends Herself On 'Today'

Patricia Krentcil is known for her extremely bronzed epidermis, but all the criticism she's receiving is making her see red.

Krentcil was accused of second-degree child endangerment when her then-5-year-old daughter Anna showed up at school with a sunburn thought to be caused by Krentcil taking her to a tanning salon. Since then, the mom has singlehandedly made "tanorexic" a trending term on the Internet.

Although she was released on $25,000 bail, Krentcil faces up to 10 years in prison if she is convicted.

Meanwhile, she dealing with the court of public opinion, having been stalked by paparazzi, satirized on Saturday Night Live and serving as the inspiration for a tanning mom action figure.

Krentcil appeared on the "Today" show on Monday to tell her critics to "step off" their nasty comments.

Despite prosecutors' claims that Krentcil took her child to a salon, Krenctil insists the child never set foot in a tanning bed and was burned from the sun, the International Business Times reported.

"She never went in," Krentcil told the show. "It was beautiful out, and they went into the kiddie pool. She's a redhead. She got sunburnt."

Krentcil claims her tanning is a harmless activity that doesn't affect anyone but herself, the New York Post reported.

"I didn't do anything wrong. Is there something wrong about getting your nails done or somebody who smokes too much or somebody who overeats?" Krentcil asked rhetorically. "If this was such a problem, why wasn't this said years ago?"

Krentcil also admits that comments by fellow moms who question her parenting get under her extremely tanned skin.

"Look in the mirror and look at yourself instead of looking at me," she said. "I'm sorry I'm tan. I like to be tan. It just feels good. But I really that think these moms ... need to step off and step away."

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