A Tampa, Florida, mother who was living in a shack without electricity was arrested Monday after allegedly giving her 13-month-old baby bleach in a bottle, authorities said.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said 22-year-old Melissa Barnes faces child abuse and neglect charges dating back to January.
On Jan. 2, 2024, a relative of Barnes reported to the sheriff’s office that Barnes had given his 13-month-old daughter a bottle of bleach.
Relatives told authorities Barnes and her child were living in a shack with no electricity and described the shack as cold, messy and unsanitary.
Florida man charged with attempted murder of uncle 15 years ago; investigators match DNA from fork
An arrest warrant photo of Melissa Barnes, who is charged with child abuse and neglect dating back to January. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
According to the sheriff’s office, the relative removed the child from the shed and tried to feed him milk from a bottle, but the child refused to drink.
The sheriff’s office said the relative checked the bottle and found it contained bleach.
When asked about the contents of the bottle, Burns claimed he had used bleach to rinse it out.
Knife-wielding Florida teen suspected of killing boy, wounding adult at sleepover: ‘Violent, premeditated attack’
Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies have arrested a woman after she allegedly gave her baby bleach in a baby bottle. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Facebook)
Following a thorough investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, the Department of Children and Families removed the toddler from Barnes’ custody and released him to a relative.
Detectives then obtained and executed a search warrant for the shed, where they found disinfectant and paint containing bleach, according to the sheriff’s office.
The bottle’s contents were sent to an FBI lab for further analysis and were ultimately found to contain chlorine bleach.
Ex-soldier charged in Florida double murder: ‘international crime spree’: Feds
Melissa Barnes is facing child abuse and neglect charges in Florida. (iStock)
After receiving the confirmation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Barnes on May 28 on charges of child abuse and neglect.
She was taken into custody by the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office on June 3 and is currently remaining in the jail, with plans to be extradited to Hillsborough County at a later date.
Click here to get the FOX News app
“This incident is extremely disturbing, and no child should be exposed to such dangerous and neglectful conditions,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our community and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who harm children are held accountable.”
