FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — A 5-month-old boy is in the hospital being treated for second-degree burns. His mother and her fiancé are facing aggravated child abuse charges.
The investigation began on Sept. 5 when Fernandina Beach police were called to responded to the emergency room at Baptist Hospital after doctors took in a severely burned infant.
Doctors said the baby had deep burns on his buttocks, left ear, left shoulder and back. According to an arrest report, it was reported to doctors and nurses that the injuries occurred six days before the hospital visit.
The Department of Children & Families has launched an investigation.
A forensic exam revealed "the burns were inflicted and caused by hot liquids," and "severe medical neglect caused by the parents" will lead to extensive injuries and surgeries, according to the report.
Police on Monday arrested 19-year-old Denzel Malik Albertie and 26-year-old Shawna Noel Corbett.
According to the Fernandina Beach police, Corbett intentionally and knowingly inflicted great bodily harm and permanent disability.
Corbett told Action News reporter Lorena Inclán by phone she didn't take her child to the hospital because she had an open case with DCF and feared she could lose her children.
"It was an accident and everybody that knows me knows that I wouldn't hurt my kids," said Corbett.
Corbett said she was at work while Albertie was bathing the child and that he briefly left to get a towel.
"He had walked out of the bathroom from what he told me and said that my 2-year-old had cut the hot water heater on and we had just gotten a new hot water heater," said Corbett.
Police said she tried to treat the injuries with cornstarch and over-the-counter antibiotic ointment before taking the baby to the hospital.
According to investigators, Corbett was charged with a misdemeanor drug violation in May, causing the DCF to assign her to a social service agency, which meant regular home visits. Police said it was thanks to the social worker that the infant got help.
"As the social worker made contact with the mother, she asked to see the child. She saw the injuries on the child and insisted the child be taken to the hospital," said Deputy Chief Mark Foxworth of the Fernandina Beach Police Department.
Corbett's sister, Stephanie Bennett, said she is angry.
"I just wish that she would've stepped into mother mode and taken care of the baby like any mother would have," said Bennett.
According to Bennett, it's the not the first time she's heard of abuse in her sister's household.
"The 6-year-old, my nephew, he said that Denzel had stuck a cigarette to his arm and drug it up his arm," said Bennett.
Bennett claims that the incident was reported to the DCF but a spokesperson would not release information unless it involved a child's death.
A DCF spokesperson said once the child recovers, he will be placed in a medical foster home. His siblings have also been taken into DCF custody; they are currently staying with relatives.
The infant is receiving medical attention in Wolfson's burn unit; his pain is so intense he has to be given morphine.
WJAX
