1-month-old Staten Island boy who died suffered severe grease burns: DA
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) — The 1-month-old Staten Island boy who died over the weekend had severe burns on his left arm that went untreated for weeks, authorities said.
The child suffered two significant burn wounds during a cooking accident in the kitchen of the family home at 240 Broadway on April 11, the boy’s parents told investigators, according to the NYPD and the criminal complaint.
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Authorities found the unconscious baby while responding to a 911 call at the home at around 6:45 a.m. Saturday, and rushed him to the hospital, where he died, police said.
The parents, Leonard Thompson, 38, and Jenice Lightfoot, 36, claim their son was injured when pan grease on the stove splattered on his arm, according to police and court documents.
“I was cooking and holding the baby in my left arm. The 4-year-old kicked a toy and it hit the pan on the stove and knocked the pan over. As I was walking by the stove with the baby, the grease hit the baby,” Thompson told authorities, according to the complaint.
Thompson and Lightfoot tried to treat the child at home but never sought medical care, officials said. The mom claimed she didn’t report the incident for fear of losing custody.
“I was worried if I made a report and or told youth the truth, you would take him away,” Lightfoot said, according to court records.
The parents were charged with reckless endangerment, police said. They were arraigned Monday and bail was set at $100,000 cash/$300,000 bond for the Thompson and $50,000 cash/$150,000 bond for Lightfoot, officials said.
The boy’s name was not released. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death.
Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.
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