News

Actions

Girl, Aunt Charged in Hot Bathtub Death of 4-Year-Old Boy

Bathtub
Posted at
and last updated

JONESBORO, Ga. (AP) — Police say a 15-year-old girl critically injured her 4-year-old brother by placing him in a hot bath tub, and the children's aunt waited several hours to get the boy medical care — resulting in his death.

Media outlets report the 15-year-old girl and her aunt, 30-year-old Aleisha Harris, were arrested Tuesday on murder and first-degree child cruelty charges.

Clayton County Police Maj. Joseph Woodall says the teenage girl punished the boy for wetting himself by putting him in a tub of 155-degree water. The boy was burned on more than 40 percent of his body, sustained brain swelling and had an 80-degree core temperature.

Woodall says Harris knew the boy was injured, but waited 24 hours to seek medical care.

It wasn't immediately clear if the girl or Harris have attorneys.