In the Cabarrus County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions April 1797 - April 1805 there is a reference I don't understand. Can anyone tell me what this means?

January 21, 1800 session:

Ruth, natural born child, aged 9 years & 11 months. Apprenticed to Jeane Russel.

Is Ruth a natural born child of Jeane? The only Jean/Jane I'm aware of in Cabarrus County was the widow of James Russell who would have been 50 years old in 1790 when Ruth was born. Also, why would a child be apprenticed to her own mother? Anyone have a clue who Ruth is?

Thanks,
Kathy