Mother delayed seeking medical attention after her boyfriend she was ordered by CPS not to leave her 3-year-old with intentionally put the boy’s hands in a sink with hot liquid; charges
Kentucky – In a shocking case in Kentucky, a 24-year-old mother, identified as B. Lair, and her 25-year-old boyfriend, identified as J. Sneed, have been arrested and charged following an incident where Lair’s 3-year-old son suffered severe injuries, requiring hospitalization, while under the care of Sneed.
The police department was alerted to the child’s condition after he was brought to a children’s hospital last week, on Sunday. The medical staff observed that the injuries were consistent with being submerged in scalding liquid, an assertion supported by the child’s own account to investigators. He reportedly told them that mom’s boyfriend “did this to my hands,” indicating that Sneed had intentionally placed his hands in hot water.
According to police records, the boy was left alone with Sneed by his mother for approximately an hour on April 6, despite existing directives from Child Protective Services not to do so. CPS had previously instructed Lair due to an ongoing investigation into another criminal abuse allegation involving Sneed. After the incident, Lair allegedly delayed seeking medical attention for her son for up to three hours. Further complicating the matter, she provided false information to the medical staff regarding the origins of her son’s injuries. This deliberate misinformation and the decision to leave her son in a potentially harmful situation led to charges against her.
Lair faces charges of first-degree child abuse, while Sneed has been charged with both first-degree child abuse and an additional assault charge. Both pleaded not guilty at their arraignment. Sneed’s cash bond was set at $15,000, and Lair’s at $10,000. The seriousness of the allegations reflects the harsh legal repercussions they face due to their actions.
The police affidavit underscored the severity of the situation: “The totality of the suspects’ intentional actions led to the victim, whom [Lair] has parental custody over, being placed in a situation in which he received serious physical injuries.” Local media reports that Lair worked as an instructional assistant at an elementary school. Her employment status is currently under review given the charges.
As the legal proceedings continue, both Lair and Sneed remain detained at the department of corrections, awaiting further court actions scheduled for April 15. The case has not only legal ramifications but also raises significant concerns about child safety and the mechanisms in place to protect the most vulnerable from those who are supposed to guard them the most. This tragic incident highlights the critical need for vigilance and strict adherence to Child Protective Services’ guidelines, designed to prevent such grievous harm to children. The community and the victim’s family now face the difficult task of seeking justice while supporting a young child through a recovery from physical injuries and emotional trauma.
